THE BLAY REPORT by ZANDILE BLAY

ALAS....WE'VE MOVED

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:45:00 +0000

dearest BLAYNISTA, you will now find The Blay Report at:

THEBLAYREPORT or www.theblayreport.com!

and per usual, you can drop me a line:

blog@zandileblay.com!

LOVE YOU BLAYNISTAS!

M.A.C JUST WANTS TO HAVE FUN WITH LADY GAGA & CYNDI LAUPER

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:46:00 +0000

The new faces of M.A.C’s AIDS Fund campaign strike poses together.

World Wide Web - In November M.A.C. announced pop singers Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper as the new faces for their AIDS Fund campaign for Spring 2010. Today we have the two females rocking out in the ad for the makeup brand. M.A.C has named lipstick shades for each singer -- Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick and Viva Glam Cyndi Lipstick. Both lipsticks are $14 each and they will go on sale March 18. All proceeds will go to M.A.C AIDS Fund. [Story/Image: FWD; Also The Cut]

Kristina Bustos

THE SARTORIALIST REALITY TV SHOW?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:02:00 +0000

Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist’s blogger and photographer, reveals that he could get his own TV show but he doesn’t want to be the main focus of it.

New York - If the name Scott Schuman sounds familiar to you then you probably have visited his street-style blog The Sartorialist. If not, well, The Sartorialist is a fashion blog that captures street style in different locations but often in New York, Milan, Paris, London and Stockholm. Scott has been very successful with his blog, helping start the “personal-style craze” and acquiring projects through Condé Nast. Now The Sartorialist might become a future reality TV show. According to an interview with The Pedestrian, Scott said that he has been approached by many companies to start a show but has finally found one company that he thinks is right. That company also has “a very well known Director” said Scott but he doesn't name who is the director. Scott added that he doesn’t want to star in his own show, saying that he finally realized that the success of the blog is not about him but it's about the people who he chooses to talk to and to shoot for his blog. Fair enough but that's not all what’s coming up for Mr. Sartorialist. In the same interview he hinted on a possible accessories collection that could lead into a full clothing line. Reserving my opinion to myself right now. But what do you think, Blaynistas? Are you feeling all of this? [Story: The Cut/ Image: Christopher Peterson]

Kristina Bustos

STUART WEITZMAN TO DO HANDBAGS

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:51:00 +0000

The shoe designer adds contemporary handbag line to his brand.

World Wide Web - The high-end shoe company Stuart Weitzman signed a deal with Mosaicon SpA to design, produce and distribute a handbag collection starting this summer. The line will "reflect the brand's contemporary yet classic style." The 30-year shoe veteran Weitzman told Women’s Wear Daily: "Recessions have always opened up opportunities for people who like to be a little aggressive in their business. When everything is fantastic, it's hard to find a new opening. People are doing well with all they've got. When things changed last year, opportunities arose and we began to see a real demand for a price-value relationship." Prices for the bags range from $395 to $595. [Story/Image: Racked.com]

Kristina Bustos

JOURDAN DUNN GAVE BIRTH

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:23:00 +0000

The beatiful model welcomes her first child.

UK - British model Jourdan Dunn gave birth to a baby boy on Tuesday (Dec. 8). The 19-year-old model and her boyfriend of five years haven’t decided on a name for their baby boy, who weighed just over seven pounds. "Jourdan is really well and super happy," a spokesperson for her agency, Storm, said. "She is due to get home from the hospital with her little boy today." While pregnant with her child, work didn’t stop for the model. In October Dunn, who was seven months pregnant at the time, walked the Spring 2010 Jean Paul Gaultier show (photo left). Now industry rumors suggest that her baby boy could make his modeling debut. Fashion brands have approached Dunn to be photographed with him. Dunn made her runway debut in 2007, walking for Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Salvatore Ferragamo. She has appeared on the covers of British Vogue, French Vogue, French Elle and i-D. Dunn picked up the Model of the Year Award at the British Fashion Awards last year in November. [Story:UK Vouge/ Image: NYmag]

Kristina Bustos

YOU'RE INVITED!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Join us for a LeSportsac holiday shopping event.

New York - The Blay Report and Nitrolicious invites you to The LeSportsac Holiday Shopping today. The shopping soiree will take place at the LeSportsac Soho boutique. Enjoy sips and sweets and an exclusive even discount of 20%. In addition you can get a special gift with any purchase of $50. Music will be provided by Rajni Lucienne. See you there!

Date/Time: Thursday (December 10th) @ 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Location: LeSportsac Soho Boutique
118 Greene Street, NYC
RSVP: rsvp@lesportsac.com

Kristina Bustos

NAOMI CAMPBELL: A POWERFUL FIGURE IN FASHION

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:04:00 +0000

More Naomi news coming your way, Blaynistas. This time the supermodel makes it to The Power List.

Britain - The British Fashion Council Press Committee releases The Power List, featuring 25 of the most powerful figures in the fashion industry. The aptly named list includes 39-year-old London-born supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was the first black model to land a cover of British Vogue in December 1987. She joins her fellow model Kate Moss and fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Congratulations to Naomi. [Story: UK Vogue/ Image: Zimbio]

Kristina Bustos

DR JAYS LAUNCHES "CELEBRTY GIFT GUIDE"

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:23:00 +0000

The urban fashion retailer features exclusive holiday picks from your favorite celebrities.

World Wide Web - Dr Jays has your favorite celebrities helping you with your shopping this holiday. The urban fashion retailer has launched “Celebrity Gift Guide,” featuring exclusive holiday picks from Melanie Fiona, Trey Songz, Ghostface Killah, New Boyz, Teyana Taylor, Redman, Dawn Richard, DJ Drama, Terrence J, Kerry Rhodes, Snoop Dogg, Pooch Hall, Drumma Boy, Sheek Louch and Electrik Red. From footwear and accessories to womenswear and menswear, the celebrities have picked out gifts that will certainly bring holiday cheers to your family and friends. Since the opening of their first store in 1975 in South Bronx of New York, Dr Jays has become the pioneer in providing urban fashion with brands such as Nike, Ecko Red, Dereon, Adidas, Reebok, Rocawear, Puma, Timberland, Sean John, Baby Phat, L.A.M.B, Converse and Akademiks.

To see more from the “Celebrity Gift Guide” Lookbook, visit Dr Jays.com.

Kristina Bustos

FAB MAGAZINE COVERS: JENNIFER GARNER & JARED LETO

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:32:00 +0000

Actress Jennifer Garner lands W's January cover, while musician and actor Jared Leto pose for Nylon Guys.

World Wide Web – The New Year is gearing to be oh so bright! Jennifer Garner is j’die for W’s January cover, wearing an orange silk tulle Christian Dior number. While rocker and actor Jared Leto channels his inner James Dean for the January issue of Nylon Guys. Check out their spread below. Heart them both!

Jared Michael Lowe

[Story/Image: Nylon Guys/W]

FASHION COLLABORATES WITH HOLLYWOOD DIRECTORS

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:42:00 +0000

Victoria's Secret, Christian Dior and Chanel team up with film directors for their commercials.

World Wide Web - It was only a matter of time that the fashion industry will collaborate with even bigger Hollywood directors. First up is the Victoria’s Secret commercial directed by Michael Bay of Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and Transformers I and II. With those movies in mind there is only one thing we can expect from Bay and that is to bring in the explosions and more explosions to the commercial. Okay those might be two things. Although it could use more explosions, the guy simply delivered with the film aesthetic he has become known for in his career.

If Bay is not your type, we bring you David Lynch for Christian Dior and Martin Scorsese for Chanel. Last week French actress Marion Cotillard and John Galliano were in Shanghai to shoot the next installment of the Lady Dior saga directed by Mulholland Dr. director David Lynch. The first part was shot by Cotillard’s La vie en rose director Oliver Dahan. But the latest fashion-director collaboration comes from Chanel. The label may be working with The Departed director Martin Scorsese on their next commercial piece. This isn’t the first time Chanel has teamed up with a film director. Recently director Amelie Jean-Pierre Jeunet shot a commercial ad for the label with their new muse Audrey Tautou. In 2004 Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann directed a three-minute commercial for Chanel No. 5 perfume, starring Nicole Kidman and Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro. Both Lynch and Scorsese are interesting choices to direct fashion commercials but we’re very excited to see what Lynch comes up with for Dior and what Scorsese does for Chanel.

Kristina Bustos
[Story/Image: Cinematical; Also: Fashionologie]

NAOMI CAMPBELL IS THE NEW TYRA?

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Naomi Campbell may get her own reality show in the UK, ala The X Factor and America's Next Top Model.

UK/Miami - Naomi Cambell is in talk to get her own reality show in the United Kingdom. “Naomi has been approached with an offer, which we are talking about and discussing,” her spokesperson told the Daily Mail. “An initial approach has been made. We are discussing that offer, but nothing is set in stone yet.” The proposed X Factor-style show would see the 39-year-old model mentoring a group of aspiring models, while eliminating them down to a winner. The X Factor is a UK reality show produced by American Idol judge Simon Cowell, which puts aspiring singers against each other after having been chosen from auditions. Naomi is one of the most experienced and famous models in the industry who is still working today. She was the first black model to land a cover of British Vogue in December 1987. In the 1990s she was part of the iconic “supermodel” group along with Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. She has walked for Victoria’s Secret, Chanel and Christian Dior. In October 2009 she walked the runway at the Chapurin fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. In other words if there is one supermodel who would make for entertaining TV and a great mentor to young models, Naomi would be it. What do you think, Blaynistas?

In other Naomi news, she attended the Art Basel Miami Beach’s party (shown above) with her boyfriend Vladislav Doronin over the weekend. The supermodel was one of the many guests at a dinner hosted by Remo Ruffino at Casa Tua to celebrate Moncler’s collaboration with Pharrell Williams. She still looks good.

Kristina Bustos
[Story/Image: WWD; Also UK Vogue]

LINDSAY LOHAN IS A MUSE BUT WE’RE NOT AMUSED

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:02:00 +0000

The Ungaro “artistic advisor” lands Muse cover, accompanied with an 18-page spread inspired by Johnny Depp and Kate Moss’s relationship.

World Wide Web - Another artsy fashion

magazine shows their fascination with tabloid fodder Lindsay Lohan as she is the latest Muse covergirl. The starlet wears an unzipped jacket with “Lindsay Exposed” headline strategically placed over her breast. The cover and the 18-page spread inspired by Johnny Depp and Kate Moss’s relationshipwas shot by Yu Tsai. Lindsay plays Kate and model Petey Wright plays Johnny. Dancer Sofia Boutella was also brought into bed with them for the shoot. "The three of them were very sensual and provocative, but Lindsay understands this piece was created not for any sensational value other than artistic integrity," Tsai said to New York Post Page Six. “There was never a discussion about pushing the boundaries. She was totally comfortable with the nudity as long as it had artistic integrity.” Tsai, who are you kidding? Lindsay no longer knows what "artistic integrity" means.

The photographer also added, "When you see her nipple, it just happened in the moment. She was playing the role of Kate Moss — you're at a party and you are with a guy you really love and another girl." And according to her Twitter, Lindsay and her 15-year-old sister Ali could also appear in Purple’s next issue shot by Terry Richardson. Oh boy!

Kristina Bustos

[Story/Images: The Cut/The Fashion Spot]

LOUBOUTIN AND KAWAKUBO DRESSES BARBIE

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:07:00 +0000

2009 is Barbie’s year: Turning 50 and having the fashion world on her feet.

World Wide Web - Christian Louboutin and Comme des Garçons designer and founder Rei Kawakubo stylishly revamps the iconic doll. The footwear designer Louboutin, famous for those red soles, designed a series of limited edition dolls that will be unveiled throughout next year. The first Barbie by Christian Louboutin was made available at Net-A-Porter on Friday (Dec. 4), but the $150 “jewel heist” doll -- complete with a black cat suit and spiked gold heels -- sold out in one day. [Story/Image: Stylelist/FWD]

Another Barbie that was sold out last week was Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo’s doll. The limited edition doll was designed for the Barbie Collector Platinum Label Collection and the label’s “Jingle Flowers” collection. Dressed for the first time by the designer, Barbie wears a sleeveless, asymmetric-cut floral dress and comes in a box featuring the Jingle Flowers print. Barbie by Comme des Garçons sold out in Tokyo but is now arriving in all other Comme des Garçons stores. [Story/Image: Dazed Digital]

Kristina Bustos

TWITTER THIS: VOGUE ITALIA’S 2009 DECEMBER ISSUE

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:08:00 +0000

For their last issue of the decade the magazine takes on Twitter.

Italy - Vogue Italia is known for their creativeness but are you feeling the December 2009 issue, Blaynistas? The cover features models Lara Stone, Natalia Vodianova, Christy Turlington, Gisele Bundchen and Kasia Struss and includes more models in the accompanying editorial. The issue is “a tongue in cheek send up of Twitter, social media and the perils of online exposure.” While fashion photographer Steven Meisel came up with the Twitter concept, word is that all the models photographed themselves for the magazine. Future trending topic?

Check out some of the spreads here:

Gisele Bundchen & Natalia Vodianova

Naomi Campbell & Sasha Pivovarova

Christy Turlington & Natasha Poly

Sessilee Lopez & Karlie Kloss

Linda Evangelista & Karen Elson

Freja Beha Erichsen & Viktoriya Sosonkina

To see more of the editorial visit Models.com.

Kristina Bustos

[Story/Images: Models.com]

JULIA ROBERTS'S NEW ROLE: LANCÔME'S PRETTY (SPOKES)WOMAN

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:03:00 +0000

The 42-year-old actress is the newest celebrity to represent a beauty brand.

World Wide Web - One of Hollywood's biggest stars, Julia Roberts, has been signed as the “global ambassadress” for luxury beauty brand Lancôme. The brand's executives declined to give any further details, but according to Women’s Wear Daily, the "Pretty Woman" actress could command a beauty salary that is close to her $20 million paychecks she gets for her movie roles. “By her remarkable personality and career, Julia Roberts is an emblematic woman of her time,” said Youcef Nabi, president of Lancôme International. “Her exceptional talent, her radiance and her strong commitments perfectly echo Lancôme’s values. We are convinced she will embody the brand in the most sublime way possible.” Actors Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway, Juliette Binoche and Clive Owen have also been spokespersons for Lancôme but you can't get a bigger celebrity to rep for you than Julia Roberts. Kudos Lancôme. [Story: WWD/Image: Harpers Bazaar]

Kristina Bustos

MCQUEEN REDESIGNS ITS WEBSITE...YOU LIKE?

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:20:00 +0000

Forward thinking as ever, McQueen provides the fash crowd with a revamped website.....

WWW - Here's what Fashionista has how Fashionista.com describes the digital changes afoot at Mqueen's cheaper, chicer, younger brand McQ.

There are archives of lookbooks and campaigns all against a backdrop of the A/W 09 shoot. And of course news and updates. But the coolest feature is the McQ diary where various contributors like Dazed & Confused’s Anna Trevelyan and Emi Kameoka from Vogue Hommes Japan post various inspirations, writings, just anything cool. There’s a Neil Young video, interviews, movie trailers—they call it a look into the McQ “collective brain.”

Image: Fashionista.com

PRE-FALL PICS: CHANEL

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:30:00 +0000

Shanghai - Per usual, it feels over styled, over ornate and ..... and not "ovah" (aka - fierce.) Out of the eighty-two piece collection, these were my top pics. Thoughts Blaynistas?

THOM BROWNE FINALLY GETS SOME GOOD NEWS

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:30:00 +0000

The very loved, but very expensive (and consequentially very unprofitable-ish) mens line has found a fairy-business mother.

USA - High fashion can deal some low blows (as we all see with what Mr. Lacroix is going through.) Menswear designer, Thom Browne, knows a thing or two about that. Although his slim cut (putting it loosely) suits are tre chic and very popular - they also cost a grip. When people love your clothes more than they buy them it creates an issue. Obvi. After much trial and error (and whispers of a total shut down) an angel investor has emerged from the wings: Japanese Cross Company. Previously, JCC owned a small stake in the company, but upped the ante to a 67% ownership. Along with big money, they are lining up big plans: a Thom Browne flagship store in Tokyo next year.

Image Source: Thom Browne

WHO SAID REALITY SHOWS DON'T HELP CAREERS? KARDASHIAN SISTER LANDS AD CAMPAIGN

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:35:00 +0000

The Kardashian's continue to prove my theory wrong with a fashionable new opportunity for their lil sis.

USA - Arguably, all the Kardashian sisters are pretty girls. But I've always thought their little sister Kendall Jenner was the best looking one. At 14 years old, she's already got sophisticated good looks and an uncommon style and grace. It's no wonder then that top New York modeling agency, Wilhelmina scooped her up when they saw her on the show back in July. Now, she's already wrapped on her first major campaign shoot - for Forever 21. The shoot, which took place this past Wednesday, features Jenner wearing Forever 21's ~~disposable fashions~~ Spring collection. You betta work! Now where's my show? (Like - for serious!)

image source: kevin mazur; wireimage

THE PROBLEM WITH LACROIX IS.....

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Are you gagging (not about those boots I blogged about yesterday) but about Christian Lacroix! Industry insiders offer a perspective.

Paris - Ultimately, it looks like what built lacroix's name is also what brought it to its knees: phenomenal couture pieces.

"Even if in 2009 Lacroix sold around 70 bridal dresses — an enormous number for couture — at an average of 35,000 euros a throw, it is obvious that it is not enough to run a couture house."

Damn! So dude was doomed from the start!

image source: new york magazine

I AM DYING! I CAN'T BREATHE! CAN YOU? THESE BOOTS ARE OVAH!!!

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:42:00 +0000

Blaynistas! I just can't with the fabulousity of these boots!

www - My good girlfriend Janelle Grimmond just pumped into the office with a tall version of these boots. I immediately hit up google to look these up. I found this amazing version (shorter and buckled). I am j'dieing! Do you love them or leave them?

IS REGULATING PHOTOSHOP THE SOLUTION TO LOW SELF-ESTEEM?

noreply@blogger.com (ZANDILE BLAY) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:39:00 +0000

A French politician presents a radical new plan which will shake up the magazine and fashion industry.

Valerie Boyer, who holds a seat in France's Parliament has a bright idea which will make you - all of yous - feel better about yourselves: labeling photoshopped images. According to Boyer, who was interviewed in the New York Times,

“If someone wants to make life a success, wants to feel good in their skin, wants to be part of society, one has to be thin or skinny, and then it’s not enough — one will have his body transformed with software that alters the image, so we enter a standardized and brainwashed world, and those who aren’t part of it are excluded from society.”

What Boyer is proposing is that going forward, all images which have been digitally enhanced will bare a bold label which "warns" the readers. Well that would be ~~damn near~~ all of them! At this point, magazines and campaigns rely almost entirely on photoshop to add that final "oomph" to photos. Thats generally understood. The hope is that the average reader would not be delusional enough to think what he/she is viewing is real and b)wouldn't base their self esteem on it. But alas.....self-esteems are built on such flimsy stuff these days, so as unecessary as Boyer's propsal sounds, it might just be what is needed.

image source: nymag.com

FASHION ILLUSTRATIONS REVITALIZED

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

The art form regains attention and admirers all thanks to a group of young fashion illustrators.

New York - Fashion illustrations have been around for many years. Vogue used to feature illustrated covers but ever since photography took over fashion drawings began to decline. Today the art form is revitalized as young fashion illustrators have caught the attention of the style world. Those young illustrators include 29-year-old London-bred Blue Logan (illustration "Clubs Queen" seen left), Laura Laine from Finland, 24-year-old Danny Roberts from California and Richard Haines, who illustrates for In Style magazine and J. Crew. Logan is showing his drawings this week at the Art Basel in Miami Beach. Art curator Robert W. Richards, who managed a fashion drawing exhibition called “The Line of Fashion” last spring in Manhattan, said that “Illustration is suddenly blossoming a little.” He stated that photographs are starting to look similar because “a camera can only see what it sees,“ but “an illustrator can add to what he sees. He can make a skirt billow or hair flow more fiercely in the wind.” How poetic!

(Danny Roberts’s “Chanel Girls.”)

To read more visit New York Times.com.

Kristina Bustos
[Story/Image: NYTimes]

DIOR HOMME DESIGN DENIM LINE FOR WOMEN

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:19:00 +0000

Christian Dior's menwear label, Dior Homme, will launch a demin collection for women this spring.

World Wide Web - Dior Homme is strictly for men but has gained female fans of their menswear collections since the label came to being in 2001. This spring the ladies can finally get their hands on Dior Homme pieces that are created just for them. The label is launching a denim line for women called Petite Taille, “a small collection of tailored prices for smaller women.” Hold up! Smaller Women? And exactly what does a denim line made for “smaller women” consists of you ask? Petite Taille will consists of ultraskinny jeans in a range of washes inspired by their men’s denim. How fitting is it that Petite Taille is translated as “Small Size” in French? But according to Women’s Wear Daily, the denim collection “has been adapted for the female figure with a touch of spandex for added flexibility.” Well isn’t that just comforting. The label’s designer Kris Van Assche has this to say about the new line: “Dior Homme…has always appealed to women. Therefore, we decided to offer [women] a Dior Homme jeans version of [her] own, jeans being such a key and important unisex item galvanizing all wardrobes.” You know what else is comforting? The prices, which range from $407 to $1,185. [Story/Image: The Cut; Also via Grazia]

Kristina Bustos

TOM FORD DIRECTS FIRST FILM, A SINGLE MAN

noreply@blogger.com (Kristina Bustos) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:25:00 +0000

Former Gucci and YSL impresario, Tom Ford, makes gigantic leap to the silver screen.

World Wide Web – You may have seen ads or a trailer for a little film generating a lot of award buzz, A Single Man, but who makes the film? The answer: former creative director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford. Ford, who has dedicated his overall style aesthetic to tastefully pushing the envelope (recall Ford’s risqué ads for Tom Ford for Men), directs his first film about love, betrayal, and lost which stylishly takes place in the 60’s.

Here is a sneak peak of the trailer, which will be in limited release Dec. 11th. In the words of our beloved market editor, Terrence Phearse, I j’die.

Jared Michael Lowe

[Story: NYTimes/ Image: FashionDrome/ Trailer: A Single Man-Movie.com]