Online Shoppers Break More Spending Records; Black Swan Is Making Tutus Happen

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

• Online shopping for the first 56 days of November and December set a new spending record of $30.81 billion. {WWD}

• Tutus, feathers, and cobwebby knits are gaining momentum, thanks toBlack Swan. {On the Runway/NYT}

• Textile magnate Roger Milliken died yesterday at age 95. {WWD}

• Memphis middle-school principal Bobby White found a creative punishment for students who wear saggy pants: He hikes them up, Urkel-style, and then photographs the kids for the school’s wall of shame. {Refinery 29}

• Queen Elizabeth is dishing out OBE's and MBE's to several fashion folks this year, including British designerAlice Temperley. {WWD}

• Owen Wilson wants Lady Gaga to appear inZoolander 2. {Monsters and Critics}

• Breaking: Vinny fromJersey Shoreis launching a T-shirt line. {Too Fab}

Source

Myf Shepherd Returns to Modeling with an Australian Vogue Spread

Photo: Courtesy of Australian Vogue

After walking a ridiculous 62 shows last fall,Myf Shepherddecided to take a break from modeling to study set design in Sydney. The model recently announced that she's back to work, and already booking editorials in AustralianVogue. As for her hiatus, Shepherd explained,"I wasn't really ready for how competitive and everything the real world is, so I just needed to take some time to be a regular teenager. Modeling can be really stressful. You have to look after yourself."{Fashionologie}

Source

Meet the New Girl: Luisa Bianchin Talks Lady Gaga With Marc Jacobs

Watch the slideshow

Photo: DNA Models

Fashion justluuurvesa great ginger-haired model. LikeKaren ElsonandLily Colebefore her, the strikingLuisa Bianchinis on the rise. The 18-year-old Bergheim, Germany, native was scouted at a fair in Berlin in 2008. After a strong push by her agent at AM Model Management, Bianchin was sent to Milan a year later, where she quickly became an editorial darling at ItalianD. She juggled assignments while finishing high school, and in 2010 came to New York. Now represented by DNA Models, the flame-haired beauty openedMarc Jacobs's spring 2011 show. With that feather in her cap, and the support of powerful casting director Michelle Lee, Bianchin was a big presence in London, where she walked forMark Fast,Topshop Unique, andGiles Deacon. Though her catwalk bookings in Milan and Paris slowed— with the exception of a memorable appearance atJean Paul Gaultier— Bianchin had caught the eye of Steven Meisel, who, you will recall, also boosted the careers of fellow redheads Elson and Cole. Click ahead to read a Q&A withBianchin, and then visit her new model profile to see loads of on- and off-the-runway pics.

How did you get discovered?
Two years ago, I was scouted at a fair in Berlin, Germany.

You opened for the spring 2011 Marc Jacobs collection in New York. What was that process like?
I first met Marc at the casting, and then the night before the show I did a hair and makeup test at which we got to speak a bit more. We had a great conversation. I’m a huge Lady Gaga fan, and he had actually met her. I found out I was opening the show 30 minutes before it started!! It was amazing! I’m glad I didn’t know sooner; it was a nice surprise, and I was so honored.

If you weren't modeling, what would you be doing?
I don’t have something specific in mind, but I would like to do something else in the creative field.

What's the craziest thing you've ever seen while modeling?
To be honest, I’m not sure anymore! There are always so many different crazy things happening that nothing can shock me anymore.

You just woke up, late for an appointment, and you have ten seconds to get dressed. What would you wear?
I take my highest Topshop heels and my favorite Marc Jacobs blue dress and RUN!

What's the hardest thing about modeling?
The stress when you have to be at several different appointments at the same time.

What's your diet like?
It’s pretty normal, but my favorite food is sushi!

Share with us some of your beauty secrets.
Just a simple moisturizing cream for the skin, sleep a lot when you can, and some gym.

What’s your ultimate goal in modeling? Is there a contract or campaign you’d just love to have?
My dream job is to do ItalianVoguewith Steven Meisel. Otherwise, I just want to be a model for as long as I can, and be the best that I can.

Explore other rising stars (plus all the big names) in our extensiveModel Manual, featuring runway pics, glamorous editorials, model bios, career time lines, and more.

Watch the Slideshow»

Source

Maria Sharapova Looks Pretty Good for Having Spent the Night on a Plane

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Maria Sharapova arrived at New Zealand's Auckland International Airport today for the ASB Classic, and although she looks a bit bleary, you would too if you were jet-lagged and spent the night on a plane. She's wearing a comfy-looking travel outfit of loose wool pants, a big black sweater, and a long scarf that looks like it could double as a wrap for in-flight snoozing.

Do you think Sharapova should have cleaned up more before landing, or do you think her airport ensemble looks comfortably chic?

Source

Stores Are Making It Easier for You to Return All That Crap You Got for Christmas

Because presents should make us THIS happy.Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Good news for those of you with generous-yet-misguided relatives who, year after year, mail you a big box of kid-size clothing for Christmas: Many retailers are easing up on return policies thanks to new software, Retail Equation, that allows them to weed out"serial returners,"or people who regularly buy merchandise with the intent to return it after using or wearing it. This process, which retailers have given the boring nickname"wardrobing,"caused stores to lose an estimated $14.8 billion last year. Since Retail Equation helps to keep tabs on people who regularly return items, some stores like Macy's and Best Buy have relaxed their policies with the intention of keeping an eagle eye on folks who make the rest of us look bad when they try to exchange their deoderant-streaked New Year's Eve outfits on January 1st.

Which seems like a good thing for everyone, because studies have shown that consumers actually buy more overall when they feel like they have the option to return things later. ReportsThe Wall Street Journal:

V. Kumar, a Georgia State University professor who has studied the impact of return policies on sales, said chains underestimate the toll that restrictive policies take on retailers' reputations. In a study published in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan Management Review last spring, he concluded that while retailers with looser return policies experience far higher return rates, they also have better sales, profits and word of mouth than stricter competitors."It is about time retailers started realizing they need to relax return policies,"Mr. Kumar said."Psychologically, people perceive less risk in buying from retailers with more relaxed policies. It makes people buy more."

A few questions about this software remain unanswered, though. Now that stores have the technology to smoke out serial returners, what exactly will they do to them? Will those who"wardrobe"regularly be banned from shops or given different return privileges from other shoppers? In any case, you'd best keep track of those gift receipts.

Retailers Loosen Up on Returns{WSJ}

Source

Slideshow: Twelve Plush, Cozy Faux-Fur Accessories

Watch the slideshow

There were some balmy-ish"is it really going to get cold?"days in November, but it is quite definitely winter now, and when that icy wind slices down the avenue, it's good to be prepared. Wrap at least one body part in a fluffy fake-fur accessory, and you'll look like youwelcomewinter as an opportunity for cosmopolitan glamor. We rummaged through our favorite retailers to find the scarves, hats, and feet-warming boots that will keep the chill drafts at bay.

Watch the Slideshow»

Source

Jessica Simpson’s Fashion Empire Is About to Break $1 Billion

While many celebrity clothing lines come and go like dead leaves on the sidewalk, at least one is making so much bank it's practically depressing: Jessica Simpson. Retail sales of her fashion items, which now encompass shoes, accessories, outerwear, bathing suits, fragrance, and watches, totaled $750 million this year. This makes her that rare diva that is, in at least one category, outperforming even Madonna."People look at her as a style icon,"explains Vince Camuto, the main licensee for Simpson-branded merchandise.

Some more facts about Simpson's clothing empire:

• Jessica Simpson Sportswear and Jeanswear are expected to do from $150 million to $200 million in retail sales within the next two years.
• The Jeanswear collection can be found in 650 department store doors, including Macy’s, Dillard’s, Belk, and Bon-Ton.
• Six hundred people once lined up to see Simpson make a personal appearance at Belk.
• Simpson's net worth is estimated at $100 million.
• Jack Gross from the Jones Group, which licenses her Jeanswear, says,"Fifteen-, 16-year-olds and 40-year-olds like her. Sometimes she has missteps, and they identify with her."
• The latest addition to her empire— sportswear— is inspired by Isabel Marant, Theory, and Sportmax, but with a"younger"attitude. Presumably one also suited to 40-year-olds.

It's kind of nice that this is working out for her after so many things— and so manyoutfits— haven't.

Jessica Simpson: Fashion's Billion Dollar Baby{WWD}

Source

Natalia Vodianova Seems to Care a Lot About Soccer

Photo: Sebastian Derungs/AFP/Getty Images

Natalia Vodianovawas one of Russia's delegated representatives to help snag the bid for the 2018 World Cup, which was declared yesterday. She rolled up to the announcement ceremony in a tight leopard-print dress and looked genuinely overjoyed when her country was called out. She'll reportedly take part in a nationwide effort to prepare Russia's cities for the event. {Modelinia}

Source

Lea Michele’s Giorgio Armani Dress Looks Difficult to Sit Down In

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Lea Michele attendedBillboard's Women In Music awards in New York last night, where she wore a strapless whiteGiorgio Armanidress with futuristic ruffles orbiting the skirt. The stiff tiers look like they would be crushed easily, so we hope Michele didn't have to do too much sitting that night.

What do you think of her architectural frock?

Source

Behold: Sally Singer’s First T Issue

Photo: Courtesy of T magazine

For her debut issue at the helm ofT, Sally Singer put Mick Jagger on the cover, explaining that the magazine is less fashion-focused now:“Not everyone who gets T is a devout follower of fashion,"she toldWWD. Even though it's the magazine's holiday issue, a title that's usually an excuse for jam-packing a publication full of products to buy while raking in advertising dollars, Singer will not be a slave to such inanities.

"If one were to strip out those elements of T that you find new or noncommercial, then what are you left with? You’re just left with stuff,” she said, pronouncing“stuff” with some disdain..."It just becomes a catalogue. Who wants that? You flip through it and you’re done. When I do a magazine, I want people to live with it.”

Not that this means there won't be any"stuff"or other fluffy things in the magazine, because that would sure be dry.

“There are an awful lot of extremely pretty people in it and lots of wonderful things to buy and cook,” she said.“There is lots of fun in it.”

Oh, phew. And speaking of fun, she spoke about how photographer Max Vadukul and features director Jacob Brownhad to stalk Julian Assangearound England and Sweden, paparazzi-style, to get a picture forT's article about WikiLeaks:“Max and Jacob chased him— well, not chased him, but followed him throughout Europe,” she said. In what's surely a blow to Assange's ego, she assured that his blow-off wasn't that big a deal, since the piece was more about WikiLeaks than about Assange himself.

Sewing a New Pattern for T{WWD}

Source

See Halle Berry in a Brocade Balmain Suit

Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images

Halle Berry attended the premiere ofFrankie and Alicein Los Angeles last night wearing a flashy brocade suitfrom Balmain's fall 2010 collection.

Lots of actresses seem to be going out in menswear-inspired looks lately, but how do you like this on Berry?

Source