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Ah, remember how happy Madonna used to seem? Those were the days. Here she is at Cannes in 1991, where she basked in the limelight at a beach party for Truth or Dare. Of course, she wore Gaultier.

Check out Style.com for a retrospective of Cannes’ fashion and dos and don’ts that go as far back as 1953, when Brigitte Bardot caused a commotion with her well-stuffed bikini. They also have pics of Bjork, Catherine Deneuve, Kate Moss with Johnny Depp, Jane Birkin, and Sophia Coppola.

–Valentina

I just read that Vanessa Paradis is the new face of Miu Miu, and all I can say is “ooh, la, la.” Because she’s French–get it? I was into the Kirsten Dunst Miu Miu ads, and I think Dunst gets an undeserved bad rap, but I’ve loved Paradis since I first heard her baby voice on Rodney on the ‘Roq, so…

out with the old, in with the new.

Source.

Is it okay that Lou Doillon is my new obsession?  I hope so because it’s not gonna end soon.

–Valentina

Totally creepy? Well, duh, but you can’t deny that Dov Charney knows how to manufacture a good shirt. And as I sit here wearing my 50/25/25 tee from American Apparel, word comes out that Charney has been named “Retailer of the Year” by the Michael Awards for the Fashion Industry.

Charney follows in the footsteps of Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Rente.

Steve Shor, the founder of the awards, had this to say about it:

In a surprisingly short period of time, American Apparel has distinguished itself as a truly unique and exciting retail brand in the global market. American Apparel’s high-quality, Made in the USA clothing, together with the company’s progressive business practices and provocative advertising campaigns, have se the company apart as a fascinating story in the fashion world.  For Dov Charney’s accomplishments as an entrepreneur and as the creative director of American Apparel, we are honoring him as Retailer of the Year.

–Valentina

Sex and the City had its world premier in London yesterday, so of course, the daughters of British rock royalty came out. Which one looked the best?

Daisy Lowe looks sweet in her minute mini

Daisy May Jagger:is that a Herve Leger, and should a 16 year old be wearing it?

Kimberely Stewart has undergone a serious image makeover. Thank goodness.

Hmmmm….I’d say Daisy wins by a landslide.

–Valentina

Photo Source.

Check out Agent Provocateur’s new ads for their bridal collection starring Kate Moss. This one above is kind of Russ Meyer 2008, but actually, these photos are a response to a script called White Wedding written by Agent Provocateur founder Joe Corré. The story is told in 6 scenes, starting with “The Happiest Day of Her Life” (bottom) and ending with “Let Them Eat Cake.”

This one below is scene 5, entitled “Revenge.”

The photographer behind these ads is Nick Knight, who I first became aware of back in high school when my friends and I were obsessed with his book Skinhead. We were both attracted to and repelled by Knight’s pictures of the East London Skins, so it makes sense that he’s been able to cause the same mixed emotions here, even with Kate Moss (not disgruntled skinheads) as his subject.

You can see the films that go along with the photos at SHOW Studio (just click on the pictures).

-Valentina

Photo Source.

While I admit that it’s pathetic that this is the question burning in my mind right now, I still have to ask: are we going to get an actual model out of America’s Next Top Model this year? I hope so because season after season, it’s just one pretty girl with little model potential after another.

That’s been the trend for so long now that I don’t expect anything else. I just watch it for the camp factor.

But last night, the panel decided on the top 3, which includes Anya, Fatima, and Whitney. And since the show is obviously only keeping Whitney on to prove that they’re inclusive, I’m sure they’ll kick her off tout suite next week. Then we’ll be left Anya and baby Iman. So good.

On a side note, I feel the same way about Whitney that I’m beginning to feel about Hilary Clinton: I would love for a plus-size model to win, just not that plus-size model.

Anyway, I’m hoping that ANTM doesn’t trash the opportunity to have a real model showdown for this year’s finale. Anyone who’s stuck with the show this long deserves it, for crying out loud.

-Valentina

Some people can wear a floral jumpsuit…

And some people cannot…

I don’t make the rules, but I know when someone is breaking them.

-Valentina

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The MET Costume Institute Gala happened Monday, and the theme was “Superheroes: Fashion and Superheroes. The results were mixed:

Anna Wintour took the theme very literally. Apparently, she went as Storm from X-Men, announcing “I control the weather.” I don’t know, I kind of like it for her…at least it reflects her icy disposition. And it’s fun.

Lou Doillon looks hot in her Marni gown and messy hair. Of course. I think that kind of cool is what the Olsen in gold was going for:

But the one in black looks really good!

I don’t know, I’m just partial to Kate Bosworth. Plus, I love to picture Karl Lagerfeld fingering this gown and saying, “this one, this is for my Kate.” Speaking of Karl…

Karl adds sparkle to his usual fare. Does he always wear the belly chain? It works for him.

I might be alone in this, but I don’t get this at all! It looks like Valentine’s Day threw up all over poor Christina Ricci. It know it’s super-flattering to her figure, but I feel like Elmer’s glue might have been involved.

EW! Who let them in ?!?!?

She & Him, one of my new favorite bands, played LA last week. The show was in a movie theater called the Vista, which made me feel like I was at the Grand Ole Opry or something. In a good way.

The opening band was Lavender Diamond, and the sound in the Vista did lead singer Becky Stark’s booming voice tremendous justice. I’ve seen this band a couple of times, and that girl’s ability to jump hoops with that lilting voice makes me sick with jealousy.

The Grand Ole Opry feel was only exacerbated when Stark called out Zooey Deschanel to duet on a bunch of songs about love being the only answer and whatnot. They even did a sort of comedy act between songs, which was ridiculously charming. I was seriously expecting Minnie Pearl to walk on stage.

She & Him came out after a short intermission and started their set with “Black Hole”. It was then that I realized Deschanel was totally doing her best Linda Ronstadt:

The homage was later cemented with a rendition of “Oh No Not My Baby,” so I’m guessing it wasn’t a subconscious thing. And I guess if I had any criticism of the set, it would be just that: Zooey doesn’t seem to know who she is yet as a performer. But still. Despite her obvious nerves and her tendency to be a little too cute, she’s still great to look at and the music was pretty solid.

M. Ward stayed on the sidelines throughout the show, letting Zooey melt the hearts of the masses, but was still the undeniable leader of the band. Zooey’s instrument playing alternated between tambourine and piano:

They played most of the tracks from their album and some covers. For the last few songs, they called on Jason Schwartzman to play piano on a few songs. Yeah, I know that seems super obnoxious, a real orgy of the hip and young Hollywood actors, but by my estimation Schwartzman has proven himself tenfold with Coconut Records, so I opted not to view the collaboration negatively.

I did, however, take issue with Zooey taking on Screaming Jay Hawkins with “I Put a Spell on You.” That was taking it too far.

Nonetheless, it’s hard not to love She & Him. They’re a great band and so freaking adorable.

-Valentina