Anika Noni Rose fêtes the "Made in Italy" campaign. Photo: Rob Loud, Getty Images

While the rest of New York City was still in a pleasant, limoncello-tinged hangover from the annual Columbus Day Parade, a second, highly fashionable Italian celebration took place on the top floor of the Hearst Tower on Wednesday night.

It was the launch of this year's "Made in Italy" campaign, promoting fashion and luxury goods from the boot peninsula.

Luminaries enjoying the view from the 44th floor of Sir Norman Foster's landmark tower included Padma Lakshmi, "Gossip Girl's" Kelly Rutherford, "Dream Girls'" Anika Noni Rose, Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black, Italian Trade Commissioner Dr. Aniello Musella and designer Derek Lam.

And the three elegant women that every girl and half the homosexuals in NYC media want to be when they grow up: Harper's Bazaar editor Glenda Bailey, Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, and Town & Country editor Pamela Fiori, were there, too, of course.

(Click here for an appropriate soundtrack to accompany this item, and keep reading.)

Continue reading Stars Celebrate La Dolce Italia

Stars Celebrate La Dolce Italia originally appeared on StyleList on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patricia Field with Vanessa Williams, America Ferrera, Michael Urie, Becki Newton and T Magazine's Horacio Silva at TimesTalks: An Evening With "Ugly Betty" at The Times Center in New York City. Photo: Jemal Countess, Getty Images

America Ferrera, dressed in a smart Marc Jacobs black jacket and Alice + Olivia pants, eyed the cheeseburger platter -- but did not approach.

The New York Times, on account of having the comfort-food joint Schnipper's as a tenant in its brand new headquarters, had catered the green room of its "Ugly Betty" event Tuesday night with French fries, cookies, restaurant-made potato chips, three flavors of milkshake and two plates of steaming burgers.

But the cast -- Ms. Ferrera was joined by actors Michael Urie, Vanessa Williams, Becki Newton and legendary costumer Patricia Field -- was trim and tan from recent filming in the Bahamas and avoided the carb fest. (Your correspondent, however, stuffed his face.)

Indeed they had all dressed up for the "TimesTalks" panel discussion -- Newton looking stunning in a cocktail dress by Prabal Gurung, Urie in a Dries Van Noten suit and Field in The Blonds jeans and Chanel.

Of course statuesque former Miss America Vanessa Williams silenced the room when she walked in wearing a one-shoulder black number, which immediately drew compliments. "Talbots," she said breezily. "For real!"

Continue reading 'Ugly Betty' Cast Talks Season Four

'Ugly Betty' Cast Talks Season Four originally appeared on StyleList on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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He can train us any day! T.J. Johnson's abs of steel. Photo courtesy of Johnathan Johnson and Kevin McDermit

Johnson has graced the pages of Details and Italian Vogue as a fashion model, as well as cover of Maximum Fitness magazine.

In addition to CNN anchor Cooper, with whom he has worked for two years, his gym clientele has included everyone from "Good Morning America" weatherman Sam Champion to celebrity hair stylists Oribe (whose clients include Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell and Diana Ross) and Roque Jimenez (Mariah Carey's mane man).

Continue reading Anderson Cooper's Male Model Trainer

Anderson Cooper's Male Model Trainer originally appeared on StyleList on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Model Brooklyn Decker and pup at ASPCA event. Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images

Being in fashion, Brooklyn Decker is used to working with bitches.

But now the Sports Illustrated stunner -- aka Mrs. Andy Roddick -- will soon be reporting to work at the New York ASPCA shelter, where she will be volunteering, she says, to do things like "change poopy sheets."

Oh, the glamorous life of a model!

Decker (flanked by top fashion models Estonian Tiiu Kuik and Floridian Michelle Bushwell) was at the ASPCA Young Friends Benefit in New York, where she told StyleList: "I have four animals -- dogs, plus two cats."

Continue reading No Sleep for Brooklyn - Model Volunteers at ASPCA

No Sleep for Brooklyn - Model Volunteers at ASPCA originally appeared on StyleList on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marc Jacobs backstage with model Natalia Vodianova at his Louis Vuitton fashion show. Photo: Eric Ryan, Getty Images

Marc Jacobs pulled a fast one on the international editor set at his Louis Vuitton show in Paris yesterday (Oct. 7).

The designer is mostly fawned over by the press, however the consistently tardy designer has earned himself a few
enemies too.

In 2007 the Jacobs' reputation for lateness led to a very public fight with editors in 2007, when his New York Fashion Week presentation started more than two hours behind schedule.

After influential International Herald Tribune critic Suzy Menkes savaged him in her review -- slamming his tardiness, among other things -- Jacobs sounded off:

"I work my ass off. I don't take vacations. I don't have homes all over the world. I don't ride horses: I [bleeping] work for a living. Again, like this idea, you have a family? OK, well that's nice, I don't, and I work. So leave me alone and don't come to the show next time."

Continue reading Marc Jacobs Gets Last Laugh at Paris Fashion Week Louis Vuitton Show

Marc Jacobs Gets Last Laugh at Paris Fashion Week Louis Vuitton Show originally appeared on StyleList on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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De La Cruz's "Blue Bloods" book cover. Photo: Amazon.com

If the vampires in Melissa De La Cruz's fiction seem especially alluring, it may be because this New York Times best-selling author cut her chops writing about fashion.

De La Cruz celebrated publication of the fourth novel in her Blue Bloods series, "The Van Alen Legacy," on Wednesday night in New York. But although the author is riding high on the current trend for blood-suckers, she used to write about a different kind of vamp.

"There's still a lot of fashion in my writing," De La Cruz said Wednesday. "But of course writing about fashion, being in that world and out all night at the parties, it's a lot like being a vampire."

Continue reading From Fashion to Vampires - Naturally!

From Fashion to Vampires - Naturally! originally appeared on StyleList on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Among the celebs celebrating after the Burberry show was Victoria Beckham, who almost cracked a smile. Photo: Shaun Curry, AFP/Getty Images

The evening began only a few hundred yards from London's famous Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament at Horseferry House, the impressive new corporate HQ of Burberry.

Despite being a quintessential British label (whose fortunes have been greatly revived under the designer Christopher Bailey), the posh Burberry Prorsum line has shown for ten years in Milan before coming home Tuesday to close London Fashion Week.

Continue reading London Fashion Week - Closing Night Party Report

London Fashion Week - Closing Night Party Report originally appeared on StyleList on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The songstress will trade her mic for dancing shoes on this season's "DWTS." Photo: Michael Nagle, Getty Images

Last week Gray called StyleList from a concert appearance in Bucharest, Romania, and chatted with us about training for the show and some of the favorite things she has in her closet.

StyleList: You once claimed you'd never do "DTWS" because you "can't dance a lick" -- why did you change your mind?

Macy Gray: My mom talked me into it, actually (said with her familiar smokey chuckle). Because my mom thinks that's the ultimate: that you have arrived if you're on "Dancing With the Stars."

Continue reading Exclusive! Macy Gray Dishes on 'Dancing With the Stars'

Exclusive! Macy Gray Dishes on 'Dancing With the Stars' originally appeared on StyleList on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A well-behaved Courtney Love was one of many celebs at the soiree at the Standard Hotel. Photo: Amy Sussman, Getty Images

But! Last night was fun.

The New York Times' T Magazine threw a party at the "Boom Boom Room," the swank top floor lounge at the brand new Standard Hotel in the Meatpacking District. Much as locals (such as me) like to deride the "Sex and the City"-fied Meatpacking District -- which used to be appealingly seedy but is now a nightclub theme park for annoying out-of-towners -- the Boom Boom Room is a welcome new addition to the neighborhood.

Quite possibly the chicest spot in a very chic city, its blonde-wood interior and curving, retro-futuristic banquettes make the Boom Boom Room look like the first class lounge of some fantasy trans-Atlantic 1930s Zeppelin. And my dear, the view! No matter how much you already love New York, you will love it twice as much when seen from the panoramic roof deck, which offers a sweeping view from the Empire State Building in Midtown to the Woolworth Building downtown, and everything in between. Even New Jersey looks kinda kicky and fun.

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #8

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #8 originally appeared on StyleList on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tracy Reese's clothes just make you smile. Photo: Mike Coppola, Getty Images

The most creative show of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was unquestionably the House of Paul presentation on W. 39th St yesterday. Put together by the head of the Fashion Week technical crew, Paul (who declined to reveal his last name), this year's theme was "Green Warriors." All the clothes were designed, made and modeled by the tech crew themselves.

I went along with a cameraman from New York Magazine yesterday and shot this exclusive video. It's not exactly Marc Jacobs, but without the hard work of these guys there wouldn't be a Fashion Week at all!

Speaking of Marc, word around the Tents is that the former-shlub turned super-skinny designer has been surviving on the 100-calorie meal-replacer Muscle Milk. Apparently the health-conscious hemmer had a case of the new single-serve cartons delivered to his studio to get him through the stressful week.

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #7

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #7 originally appeared on StyleList on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Backstage at Brian Reyes, Rachel Bilson had glitz on her finger and a grin on her face. Photo: Astrid Stawiarz, Getty Images

Backstage buzz at the Fashion Week tents is that Rihanna is still texting Chris Brown -- despite a court order that the convicted batterer stay away from her for five years. According to a friend, the "Umbrella" superstar -- who made appearances at the MTV Video Music Awards and also Fashion's Night Out last Thursday -- has Mr. Brown listed in her phone under a fake name.

"I was with her the other night and she was texting Chris," a pal told me. "Another friend said, 'You better stop that.' And she held up the phone and said 'I wasn't texting him, see?'' But it was him under a different name.'"

Meanwhile, at the tents ... Rachel Bilson was flashing her engagement rock backstage at today's Brian Reyes show. The former "O.C." actress has been to known to keep the press guessing about her engagement to Hayden Christensen by stepping out sans diamond, but she was all smiles and bling this morning at the shows.

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #6

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #6 originally appeared on StyleList on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There was more than just a fashion show at Tracy Reese. Photo: Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

"The House of Paul" fashion show is presented once-a-year by the tech crew responsible for building the tents, rigging and stages and everything else that makes the magic of Fashion Week possible. Except rather than the new season's togs, these burly dudes design, create and model outfits made with plastic sheeting, duct tape and whatever else they have to hand.

Says an insider: "The crew boss is named Paul so that's why it's called The House of Paul. Other crews on site are in the show as well -- each season they have a theme. But the key is they have to make outfits out of items they use on a day to day basis, i.e. the crew transports the magazines into the lobby so they might make an outfit out of magazine covers. It's super fun and the guys are the models."

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #5

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #5 originally appeared on StyleList on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talk about a star-studded backstage. Photo: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images for Herve Leger

In what has been called "the year without a summer," NYC decided to turn on an 80-degree day with brilliant sunshine for a Sunday that also included shows by Derek Lam and Diane Von Furstenberg. Having made the foolish decisions to a) wear nylon J.Lindberg trousers, and b) take the sweltering subway on such a day, I arrived at the shows looking, as the New Yorkers say, "a little shvitzy." (For non-New Yorkers, that means "drenched in sweat.")

But! The wonderful Kris Norman of the W Hotel Lounge, who is there every fashion week and has a reputation as a celebrity fixer, knew exactly the solution. A veteran who is familiar with every inch of the Tents, he took me to a corner where the air conditioning is ducted in from outside and sure enough, I was cool and dry in two minutes. That is a fashion week secret worth knowing!

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #4

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #4 originally appeared on StyleList on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bruce Willis and Emma Heming walk the walk. Photo: Elizabeth Lippman for StyleList

"Er, no," said a staffer. "But he did get his own drinks from the bar, which surprised us."

What a guy!

Also at Monarchy Collection was "90210"'s AnnaLynne McCord, with her rumored beau, "Twilight" hunk Kellan Lutz. But while the two refused to be photographed together, they were looking very much like a couple away from prying paps at the exclusive W Hotel Lounge.

Rounding out the vampire quotient at the backstage lounge was Adina Porter from rival bloodsucking franchise, "True Blood." And they were all looking rather lovely, for creatures that apparently can't see themselves in a mirror.

Earlier I chatted with timeless beauty Dayle Haddon, who was hosting a retrospective of "fashion and automotive design," curated by Mercedes-Benz and Modelinia.com. The modeling legend was accompanied by a yet-unreleased 2010-model Mercedes E63.

"I think this car has a feature that if you fall asleep, it'll wake you up and give you coffee," she joked, stroking it lovingly.

Also lending some star power to the shows were Taylor Momsen and my new obsession, MTV It-Girl Alexa Chung. Judging by some of the looks they were getting from male-model types hanging around, a couple of the guys were wishing they'd have the chance to wake them up and give them coffee.

Overheard at the McCafe kiosk at the Tents: "Oh my God," said one fashionista, after being served an iced mocha with a theatrical crown of whipped cream and chocolate topping. "This thing is even gayer than Christian Siriano!"

Loitering Within Tents -- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #3 originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will the DSquared designers' show go on as planned? Photo: Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images

But, in fact, an insider tells me the show has been pushed back until mid-December. (A Bravo rep confirmed by phone that the show has been delayed, but said, "we have not yet announced the launch date.")

The scuttlebutt from the tents is that Bravo suits feared the new show was not strong enough to go head-to-head with its former fashion flagship "Project Runway," which is currently in its first season on its new home at Lifetime.

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #2

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #2 originally appeared on StyleList on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nice ride, Fern! Mallis is the driving force behind New York Fashion Week and hopefully gets to take this Mercedes-Benz (the big sponsor of the event) for a spin. Photo: Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Then -- a kiss from the woman of the hour, IMG Senior Vice President Fern Mallis, who actually runs the whole shebang. (And not just the fashion-y air kiss thing either. We're talking a full on-the-lips smooch. (Actually, that was probably a fashion foul on my part.)

So, I say to her: "Fern! Now that you're a big TV star (you've seen her on Bravo's "The Fashion Show" with Isaac Mizrahi), how have you changed? Do you fire someone every morning? Come into work and throw your fur over an assistant?"

Continue reading Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #1

Loitering Within Tents - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Day #1 originally appeared on StyleList on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kanye West and lady friend Amber Rose strike a pose in honor of Paper magazine's 25th year. Photo: Patrick McMullian

Founder and co-editor David Herskovits told StyleList the magazine's message was: "Move to New York! For young people reading Paper, do what you love and don't give up on your dreams."

Paper is famous for its characters, including co-editor Kim Hastreiter and it's fabulously off-beat style maven, "Mr. Mickey" Boardman, who rocked a sequin suit for the occasion.

Continue reading Paper Magazine Turns 25

Paper Magazine Turns 25 originally appeared on StyleList on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NiTyra Banks, mediator extraordinaire. Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

"Clearly Perez Hilton isn't taking violating child pornography laws very seriously. He might not but there are a lot of people who do!," Moore thundered via her Twitter account, after Perez drew attention to the party snap of a slightly disheveled Tallulah and added some salty commentary.

Continue reading Tyra Banks Settles Demi Moore/Perez Hilton Feud

Tyra Banks Settles Demi Moore/Perez Hilton Feud originally appeared on StyleList on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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	Which prestigious fashion magazine had its Twitter feed temporarily hacked into by a pornographic web site, because its password was "password?"
	Which internationally famous solo musician, who is paid a small fortune to be a face of a luxury watch manufacturer, actually prefers to wear one made by the competition? His endorsement contract includes a handler whose sole job it is to stop him before he goes on stage to replace his wristwatch with one made by the sponsor.

Cut the Labels - Twitter Twits & Watching the Watch Man originally appeared on StyleList on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The newest place to be seen? Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Last Saturday, the New York Times issued what amounted to an apology for a previous article that took a caustic look at JCPenney, which had dared to open an outpost in Manhattan. In the original story, the Times critic lampooned it as "a dowdy middle American entity" with "obese mannequins."

"It's like a headless wax museum devoted entirely to the cast of 'Roseanne,'" wrote the journalist, who quickly landed in hot water. It turns out the mother of Times executive editor Bill Keller enjoys shopping at Penney's and, he says, would have found the article "snotty." Oops!

Continue reading Walmart - The New Catwalk?

Walmart - The New Catwalk? originally appeared on StyleList on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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