WhoRepsWhat? - News

Hello? Anyone there?

Wondering where we've been? Thinking very hard about how we can make WRW into something really useful for the PR/Editorial Industry. To that end, we've decided to revamp the entire site to focus on becoming the best damn database of who's repping what? The look and feel of the site will be changing and we will be allowing companies and users to make edits directly to their profiles and databases. All changes will be screened to ensure quality.

We hope that WRW will become a truly useful tool. We'll update soon with details. Thank you for your continued support.

Jill & Bill

Cocktail Party Banter

Costco on the weekend, couture during the week. Stephanie Rosenbloom's article in the NYX Style section this past weekend, Tightening the Alligator Belt, revealed the deep seeded secrets of many a manhattan fashionista. In order to maintain a certain luxe lifestyle, we've started to skimp on the more trite treats in life.

Going from rags to riches isn't that difficult. The reverse, however, can be far more traumatic. Our heart goes out to lil' Dobbins and Betsey Illium in light of their recent grooming setbacks. Cuticles are a tough place to cut corners.

Big Move Alert:

Dia ne von Furstenburg PR Director extraordinaire Alexis Rodriguez returns to Tractenberg & Co. where she will be the Senior Director of Beauty & Fashion. . . .Now, over at WRW?, we love all reps. However, we can't deny a special fondness for Alexis. I mean, who else could possibly handle the pressure of those sample sales? Congratulations, Alexis!

Lashing Out

A $35 mascara? For some, that's pretty pricey. Especially considering that most professional makeup artists remain loyal to an inexpensive tube of Maybelline from their local drugstore. But this Spring, Guerlain launches a new hoity-toity formula with custom-designed applicators. [WWD]

Since mascara is a staple for almost every gal in town, we're thinking it's worth it. Such pretty packaging too!

New Improved Job Search

You'll notice a nice little change to the Job Board...search! Now you can tap into Simply Hired's database of over 6 million jobs (including WRW job posts!). Check it out.

Claiborne, Hot Again

If you're a New Yorker, Isaac Mizrahi has only left you let-down and deflated that Manhattan still does not have a Target. No, it's not fair. Why should you have to live in the suburbs in order to pick up inexpensive, stylish swag? (Online shopping just isn't the same sometimes.)

But maybe, just maybe, life is fair. WWD announced today that dear Isaac is leaving Tar-Jay to revitalize Liz Claiborne, Inc. Kudos to Isaac for knowing when to end a stellar run. And, a big "Thank You" to LC for bringing Mizrahi's designs to the city ... pleeeeaase guys?

Spring's New "It" Bag

On occasion, one comes across a garment, cosmetics or handbag line that is truly unique. Enter: deRocker handbags. This highly coveted quality, that little something special, is what causes complete strangers to prance up to you in the street exclaiming "Where'd you get that!? It's just fabulous! I must have one." deRockers seem to have this exact effect on people.

Currently available only at Bendel's or the uber-chic Saratoga Trunk in upstate New York, this line of clutches, totes and adorable "Bon Bon" bags, is not for the fashionably faint of heart. (We're counting down the episodes before their leather and silver mesh "Ab & Abs" tote pops up on the trend-setting Serena in CW's Gossip Girl.)

Great for spring fashion pages and editor gifts alike, you can contact their PR (in-house) here. Kudos to Eliza deRocker, the line's talented (and beautiful) founder. Eliza, we'd love to see more!

Mani Time

Finally, a trendy nail polish hue that's just as versatile as those deep, dark purples everyone has been sporting for the last three years... BLUE!

If the little black dress is your wardrobe staple, you may think twice about sporting this new shade on your nails. Don't. Black and blue, once highly criticized as a "clashing" combo, can be surprisingly chic.

We suggest you give it a shot (at least once). To keep the look sophisticated, spare the glittery formulas and opt for high-gloss finishes instead.

Next time you're at the salon, try Essie's Aruba Blue:

To invest in the trend, opt for Chanel's Blue Satin :

Want to pick it up at the drugstore on your way home tonight? Try CoverGirl's Blue You:

New at Pierce Mattie. . .

The lovely and talented Kristina Soriano has joined the beauty team over at Pierce Mattie Public Relations as a Senior Account Executive.

With a good mix of clients including Earth Therapeutics, Bella II Fiore Cosmetics, Organix Hair Care, Bain de Terre hair care and Oral Fixation gourmet mints- we're sure you'll be ringing her up for some press releases soon.

When that time comes, you can reach Kristina here. Congrats, K!

Brush up! On Beauty

Sometimes going to the spa can be so.... stressful. These days, spa menus are chock-full of technically and/or culturally niche terminology. So much so that you may not even know what treatments you're signing up for! Thankfully, pamper-site extraordinaire Spa-Addicts.com has launched SpaTube.TV. Here, you can choose from a variety of traditional services and find out exactly what to expect. No more stressing over what spa "step" comes next. Goodbye, anxiety. Hello, relaxation!

For more info on the site, you can contact their PR reps here.

Reader Request: Food Safety

Dear WRW?,

Where can I find information on the latest food safety regulations?

-Anonymous

Good question! These days, it's tough to pick up an apple (even at Whole Foods) and not wonder "Is this safe?". The process by which a filet mignon ends up on your plate is a super hot topic in media right now and a big concern for many. For more info on food safety and what new systems are in the works to help ensure that your vittles are well, edible, contact Foodlogiq.

They can provide you with mounds of info on food safety regulations- i.e. what readers want to know. Excellent question, Anonymous, keep 'em coming!

New Year - New Job!!

Whether they're lateral, promos or fashion sabaticals. . . Here, the latest movements from FWD's Dispatch that you should know.

Beauty Biblette

This weekend, Ellen Tien lined up the season's top-selling beauty swag. [NYX] Can't say there are many surprises: The Bliss Youth line, Shu Uemeura mascara, That Gal face primer from Benefit. These are just a few of the top brands doing what they do normally. For these guys, excellence, c'est de rigeur. In fact, the list is more like a beauty bible of what you should be using. We'd like one for every season, please. Thanks, Ellen!

Classic Rock

So Justin Timberlake is on the bandwagon to join Liv Tyler as the face of a new Givenchy fragrance.[FWD] We'll for one never tire of seeing former Mickey Mouse Club kids prosper (or flail) in their career endeavors. A splendid union. Congrats to both parties.

Bridal Bouquet

According to today's WWD, Vera Wang is launching two new scents in April: Bouquet and Flower Princess. It seems perfume is getting back to its ultra-feminine, floral roots. We couldn't be more thrilled.

For more information on the scents, you can contact the lovely ladies of Coty PR here.

Hue Savvy

We're downright intriqued by Senator Hillary Clinton's fashion must-have: the green scarf. Looped gracefully around her neck, this hue brightens up Hill's skintone without being to "girly". It's so clearly the ideal accessory for an Iowa caucus.

Whether it's the arms of a cashmere sweater, a treasured hand-me-down winter scarf or a swatch of fabric she's picked up during her foreign travels, we kinda like it!

Yesterday's NYX:

Today's NYX:

(Either she's silently voicing environmental concerns or her stylist is not half bad.)

Top 10 PR Reps of 2007

In the spirit of Top Ten lists, WRW? is lining up the best and brightest PR reps of 2007! How good would that look on a resume? To nominate your assistant, co-worker, boss or a rep you think is simply divine, email us at editor [at] repswhat.com.

Be sure to let us know why you think they're a client's dream come true. Winners get an all-expenses-paid cocktail party in their honor (Bill's treat, of course).

PR Spotlight: Ivy Cartagena

PR maven Ivy Cartagena's commute finds her slightly further downtown these days . . .132 West 21st Street to be exact. At her new office, LaForce + Stevens, she'll be working on some clutch accounts including:

[Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees, Juice Organics, Jason Naturals, Alba, Avalon Organics, Dr. Bronners, Giovanni and Weleda.]

Now, for many, that's a lot to handle. But this beauty publicist has it all under control with her usual, admirable grace. Snaps to Ivy.

To those of you who work in the area and would like to suggest a good lunch spot, you can contact Ivy here.

(That was a joke, we know you guys are too busy to actually eat lunch.)

Mane Issues

Reppers (i.e. WRW? employees) aren't encouraged to point out every little celebrity mishap. We feel even the slightest acknowledgement of say Jamie Lynn's pregnancy only encourages our society to continue lauding trashy citizens for no apparent reason. We don't support that.

However we do support and firmly believe in an A-lister's obligation to keep their looks in check. Thankfully, there's Elle.com blogger Tracy Lomrantz to say what everyone else is thinking after seeing Ms. Barton's recent mug shot: Get thee to a colorist! Or have one come to you. Whatever you Hollywood Hills young 'uns do. Just fix those roots. Kudos, Tracy.

Top 10 Top Tens

Because this week, if you're not in Aspen hitting the slopes, you're probably in the office drowning of boredom. . .

For no reason other then filling time, WRW? would like to prep you with a Top Ten list of fabulously frivolous 2007 Top Tens:

1) Top 10 Car Commercials [Askmen.com]

2) Top 10 Most Popular Yahoo! Movie Trailers [Yahoo]

3) Top 10 Gadgets of the Year [WIRED]

4) Top 10 Books [NYT]

5) Top 10 Golf Finishes [PGA]

6) Top 10 Funny YouTube Videos [ZEN]

7) Top 10 Most Stylish Celebs [INSTYLE]

8) Top 10 News Stories [TIME]

9) Top 10 Beauty Blogs [KISS]

10) Top 10 Fashion Must Haves [ThisNext]

(Quick! Only three more days to wear 'em!)

Staying Power

Sephora has lined up a list of stellar New Year's resolutions to help make you even more gorgeous in 2008. Luckily, they've also hand-picked a few products to help you power through those bad-habit breaking efforts. Our fave? The Bare Escentuals Fab in 5 kit to help you "Keep Things Simplified". Who, prey tell, couldn't use a little bit o' that? This all-in-one kit works with your natural skin tone, texture and features. It doesn't mask over them with cakey foundation, shadows and creams.

We've actually always, for some reason, shied away from BE products. (Most likely because anything known for its info-mercials couldn't possibly be quality.) Au contraire. This stuff is outstanding and you'll wonder why nobody has ever told you about it before.

For more info on Bare Escentuals swag, you can contact their PR peeps here.

Updates! Updates!

According to the FWD Dispatch . . .

* Marithé + François Girbaud has enlisted Menage a Trois and banzai! for marketing and creative direction and public relations and event management respectively, as the company prepares to launch two new collections.

* Swift Public Relations announces its representation of l.a. vie l'orange and HYDRA SWIM.

* BWR Public Relations announces its representation of Cynthia O'Connor + Company.

Couture hair care for all

Roberto Cavalli for H&M. Pat Field for Payless. What's next? Dior for 7-11? Don't get us wrong. Here at WRW?, we are absolutely in love and intrigued by the growing number of masstige resources out there. The average household hallway is quickly becoming just as stylish (if not more so) as a Bryant Park runway.

Now add to that roster Sally Hershberger's late-breaking hair care line Supreme Head.[WWD] Come January, you'll be able to hit Walgreen's and pick up this adorable series of pink and gold packaged hair swag from the creator of Meg Ryan's famous shaggy style (layers not included). A cut with Hershberger? $800. Her new shampoo? About ten bucks.

Meg, in her Hershberger signature shag.

A moment on the lips . . . [2]

Prepare yourself. Post-holidays, your pants may be a little err... snug fitting. Those once washboard abs might be slightly "masked" by an extra layer of egg nog and well, you may not be lookin' quite as hot as you did last July 4th weekend.

Luckily, sex-kitten cosmetics company Too Faced has teamed up with FUZE beverages to create, without a doubt, the greatest lip gloss ever. Hitting Sephora on Dec. 26th, their new Slenderize Guilt Free Lip Gloss not only imparts the sexiest of sheen on one's lips (we mean sexy) but it also acts as an appetite suppressant.

That's right ladies! You can look unbelievably irresistible while helping to trim your waistline- no joke. (We would never joke about cosmetics.)

Ingredients that do the trick:

Chromium- Maximizes energy potential

L-Carnitine- Another energy boosting amino acid and

Super Citrimax- Aids in-well-the ability to turn down that last slice of pumpkin pie.

Priced at $18.50 in three yummy flaves (Dragonfruit Lime, Strawberry Melon and Blueberry Raspberry) this little tube is more than a bargain, it's a necessity.

Leave it to foxy PR stars of Blue Sky PR to help you out with requests. For more info, contact bombshell Sara Skirboll here.

Holiday Chic 24/7

For last minute presents, there's nothing quite like a set of flannel PJ's. They're warm, cozy and just plain ideal for anyone who hasn't yet been checked off your gift list. At Sleepyheads.com, loungewear runs the gamut from classic to kinky. They've got the perfect pair for your brother-in-law, baby nephew or boyfriend. Order by 12/21 and you can still have presents shipped in time for Christmas morning!

Classic plaid pajamas, $58, sleepyheads.com

For additional info, contact the genuinely fabulous Jeanine Boiko of J9 PR here.

Green Top Notes

Heads up: Haute couture perfumerie Bond No. 9 is jumping on the enviro-friendly bandwagon. [FWD] Now, you can bring in any one of your signature No. 9 perfume bottles to the brand's shops (or Saks) and they will recycle it for you.

(We know there's a Bond bottle cult out there. Members cherish these spritz dispensers so much that they even keep empty bottles on display. If you happen to be one of them, this tidbit of news isn't for you.)

For more info on the new policy, contact the very lovely Claire Carbaron here.

Pamper Time

Dazed 5th Avenue tourists gettin' on your last nerve? Fellow shoppers bruising you with their swinging shopping bags? May we suggest taking a T.O. for yourself. Yes, a Time Out for lil' old [your name] ! Stop the madness and people pleasing of holiday gift giving. Treat yourself.

In fact last weekend we hit Just Calm Down Spa in the Flat Iron area and ...wow. A facial here. A massage there. You'd be amazed how the seemingly overwhelming pressures of the holidays can just - poof!- disappear.

Highlights of their spa services include:

The Morocckin' on the Marrakech Express deep tissue heat massage, the You're Out of Line line erasing facial and (for all those of you feeling ridiculously pale right now) the Sunner in the City self-tanning option.

For more info on JCD's list of divine services, check out their website here. Also great for events, photo shoots and more! For additional details contact Marla Russo of the beautiful Bella PR here.

Hot Gossip

There's a very good chance that someone in your life, someone you know and love, is a GG addict. For those of you who are completely out of the loop: "GG" is Gossip Girl, the most fabulously fashionable and unrealistic televison show to hit airwaves yet.

On the CWTV website, you can watch entire episodes, play a video game version of the show (starring yourself!) and check out trendy music. Most importantly, you can track down and purchase items that each character sports during the show. Always admire Blair's conservative/high-end garb? Buy it.

If you're looking for that "special something" for the Gossip Gal in your life, may we suggest the Alex Woo Question Mark necklace. (At $128, a mega-steal.) Worn by the sweet and sultry character Jenny, this necklace is simple enough for day and glam enough for night. For more info on the fab line, you can contact the ever-so-trendy PR firm, Siren, here.

Miracle on 34th Street

Leave your holiday shopping up until the last minute...literally. Starting Dec 21st, gift-mecca Macy's will be open at 7:00 am and stay that way 24 hours a day. [WWD] The magic ends at 6:00 pm, Christmas Eve.

Locations include: The Manhattan Flagship, Brooklyn's Kings Plaza, The Cross County shopping center in Yonkers, The Staten Island Mall, Long Island Roosevelt Field, Jersey City's Newport Center and the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, N.J.

Bright Ideas

If ever there was a perfect example of the world's increasingly gluttonous nature, this could very well be it: Designer toilet paper. [CON] Thanks to Renova, for just a few more dollars, you can have your T.P. coordinate oh-so-delightfully with a neighboring shower curtain or shampoo bottle.

Despite all of this horrific splendor, we still love the idea. It's the perfect finishing touch at fetes or a clutch conversation starter during akward silences. More importantly, it just looks cool. For more info, contact their PR house OnTrend International here.