Trend tracking

the hair apparent is a bob

Anouck Gwyneth

Lauren Liv

And then, the deluge. When Lauren Santo Domingo returned from her honeymoon with her hair chopped to chin length, she appeared to give women the world over permission to lose the locks they'd been growing out since, like, ever. The bob is upon us. Blunt will always rule the day where bobs are concerned, of course, but lately an alternate style has emerged. In the past month or so, Gwyneth, Liv, and Anouck have all shown up for photo ops in slightly unkempt, softer bobs, a look forgiving enough of unruly hair to tempt even the biggest bob-phobe. "Well, fashion's so interested in the shoulder right now; it makes sense that girls want to show that part of themselves off," says stylist Ashley Javier, who's found himself cropping plenty of tresses recently. "And plus, when there's so much that's floral and super-feminine, it's nice to have a cut that's a little sharper, more polished and serious. But the key is to find the right bob for you. If you have curly hair, you need to watch out for a cut that's too blunt, on the one hand, or too layered on the other." And as Javier goes on to note, fans of the last great tress trend need not fear the chop: Bangs will work with a bob, too. "I think bangs got us to the bob," he muses. "I mean, it's like one day women woke up, looked at all their floozy-woozy flowing hair, and thought: Enough of this mess."

Photo: Anouck Lepere, NEIL RASMUS/PatrickMcMullan.com; Gwyneth Paltrow, Theodore Wood/Camera Press/Retna Ltd.; Liv Tyler, George Napolitano/FilmMagic; Lauren Santo Domingo, DAVID X PRUTTING/PatrickMcMullan.com


Shopping alert

wedding charm, southern style

Bridalcakepulls

I'm getting married next month, and in the endless search to add a little individuality to what is becoming quite a massive production, I came across these cake pulls, from New Orleans-based jeweler Mignon Faget. Bridal cake pulls are part of an old Southern tradition—small charms are tied onto ribbons and placed under the wedding cake, with the ribbons fanning out around the cake board. Each member of the bridal party then chooses a ribbon at random, and, as the name implies, pulls. The charms tell a fortune; the ring charm predicts an upcoming marriage, the heart predicts a new love, etc. Mignon Faget has incorporated her signature designs and silhouettes into the game, like a red bean for luck and a fleur-de-lis for prosperity, all of which are inspired by the nature, architecture, and heritage of her home state of Louisiana. After the frosting is washed off, each sterling-silver Mignon pull is meant to be worn as a pendant, so your bridesmaids can keep you, and the memory of your special day, close to their hearts. Awww. The set of eight is $395, available at www.mignonfaget.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Mignon Faget

Designer update

hair of the dog (and owl and elephant), courtesy of nagi noda

Hairhats

Synthetic hair hats have long been associated with the acclaimed Japanese art director Nagi Noda, who's featured them in ads and music videos for clients such as Nike and Coca-Cola. Now Noda is adding animals to the mix. She and colleagues Asami Nemoto and Shinji Konishi have created 15 unique headpieces inspired by creatures such as rabbits, poodles, owls, and elephants (above) for an exhibition that wraps up in Tokyo next week. The creations will also be making appearances in Björk's upcoming U.K. tour, as well as in the windows at Colette in September. Moving over to this side of the Atlantic, Noda tells us she's looking for an American stockist (which we don't think should be too hard to find), and she'd like to see one of the pieces on an American actress—Winona Ryder, to be precise (that one may take a little more work). For more information, see www.uchu-country.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Noda


Shopping alert

neither paper nor plastic: another reason to shop at a.p.c.

Apc

Birkin, baguette, Paddington: Fashion folk have long been fluent in the language of the It bag. Recently, however, a Not It bag has been anointed. The shopping bag—paper or plastic—has become environmentalists' villain du jour, and woe betide the consumer parading down the avenue with an armload of throwaway totes advertising where she's been flashing her plastic. A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou, no sucker, saw this day coming. He's been stockpiling fabrics from the A.P.C. archive, and as of June 1, anyone who makes a purchase at A.P.C. will take home his or her loot in a reusable tote made from familiar prints. "I hate my old fabrics going to waste," Touitou says. "I made them and I'm proud of them." Touitou also puts to rest the tired notion that doing good has got nothing to do with doing good business. It turns out that the square-sided totes, which will come in sizes small, medium, and large, are actually cheaper to produce than the traditional dead-tree A.P.C. bags. As Touitou points out, "What goes around comes around"—and in more ways than one.

Photo: Nicola Kast


Designer update

the many inspirations of fiona rae

Rae

Fiona Rae paints luscious flora patterns plucked from an, ahem, potpourri of traditions: Japanese watercolors, Chinese calligraphy, Pop Art, abstraction, expressionism, graffiti, and cartoon culture. The everything-goes attitude fits in with Rae's multi-culti background: She was born in Hong Kong to an Australian mother and a British father. "I love mixing it up," she says. "I don't care where my bits of imagery, paint strokes, or technique comes from. Once I make them on my canvases, they are mine and I own them." But also ours to enjoy when her show opens at London's Timothy Taylor gallery today.

Photo: Fiona Rae, courtesy of Timothy Taylor gallery


Shopping alert

walk a mile in these babies

Itflops

First Newsweek named FitFlops the "must-have sandal of the summer" in 2007, then they became the most searched term on AOL the week Diane Sawyer wore a pair on "Good Morning America." So what's the big deal about a pair of exercise sandals? Well, these claim to tone thighs and smooth away cellulite by the simple act of walking in them, a marketing angle that had FitFlops founder Marcia Kilgore (of Bliss Spa fame) smiling all the way to the bank. But despite a fan base that includes Jessica Alba and Vanessa Williams, the humble FitFlop was lacking a high-fashion element. Enter Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley of Kirna Zabête, who collaborated with Kilgore on the Aurelia gladiator style (above), and the ItFlop was born. The Aurelia arrives at Kirna Zabête in mid-June. We suggest you get on the waiting list now.

Photo: Courtesy of FitFlops


Shopping alert

the toast of the season? chin thin

Champagne

It all started, as things often do in London, when Kate Moss got involved. At her most recent birthday party, previously unheard of "diet" Champagne was brought in by the caseload. The prestige Champagne producer Pol Roger has jumped on the wagon, so to speak, with what the industry delicately calls "sans dosage," i.e., low-cal champers. The newly released Pol Roger Pure Brut has all the alcoholic content and most of the taste of the real thing, but—wait for it—only ten calories per glass. That's pretty much all anyone needed to know to make it a pre-summer hit. Available in strictly limited quantities at Harvey Nichols for about £33, Pure Brut is flying off the shelves.

Photo: Courtesy of Pol Roger


Social intelligence

sex and the other city

Satcparty

It may have been Melrose, but Manhattan was definitely in the air last night at the Hautelook.com "Sex and the City" party hosted by vintage mecca Decadestwo. From Carrie's Fendi baguettes to Charlotte's Louis Vuitton shifts, SATC-inspired wares were on display for women looking for their own "Sex" fix. While Rachel Zoe, in a Pucci print caftan and PVC stilettos, chatted up Decades owner Cameron Silver, Perrey Reeves held court near the re-creation of Carrie's Upper East Side bedroom. "The funny thing is," admitted celebrity stylist Cristina Ehrlich, "when I look at things on the rack—I either own it, or I donated it." For a limited time (today only), Hautelook.com will host an online auction featuring inspired looks from the show. "The great thing about what they're doing is that they're really on the cutting edge of what's right now," Ehrlich added, eyeing an Oscar de la Renta black and white strapless number.

Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images


Social intelligence

having a gas at the kitchen

Kitchen

The musical acts at Wednesday night's Kitchen Gala ran from alt-rock serenades (courtesy of indie darlings the National) to full-on sonic assaults. The Kitchen being the grandpappy of experimental performance spaces, the noise music, sound art, or whatever the kids are calling it these days came with the territory. But even the avant-gardiest of the guests blushed when DJ Olive looped a speech by President Bush with flatulence noises—during dinner. "That was innovative," Ann Dexter-Jones said afterward. As for her own brood of turntablists, well, they were working harder than ever. "Sam [Ronson] is actually recording an album with JC Chasez, you know, the guy from 'N Sync," she said excitedly. The gala's after-party, although in an adjacent room, drew an entirely different (i.e., younger) crowd. "It's 9:30 p.m., darling," said Isaac Mizrahi as he headed for the door. "The after-party is in my bedroom with my dog Harry." This time around, model Daisy Lowe did the deejaying honors. "I'm not a professional or anything," shrugged the leggy 19-year-old. "This is just an excuse to play the stuff that I want to hear."

Photo: NICK HUNT/PatrickMcMullan.com


Outside sources

for richer, for cooler, with a good accountant

Do the rich want to look richer or cooler? Cartier, which has taken to wooing the wealthy with diamonds at intimate luncheons is banking on the former. Women who prefer their manicures chipped just-so prefer the latter. Old money or new money, you're going to need more of it to get around these days, especially if gas is your fuel of choice. Man-of-many-talents Karl Lagerfeld might suggest dancing as a potential mode of transport for those strapped for cash; Kristi Yamaguchi we're sure, has nothing on him (or, for that matter, on either of the Davids—if you're keeping score). Whatever your money situation, make sure you have an accountant you can trust. That chipped polish look only works if you're not serving time.

Social intelligence

london's war of the roses

Bloom2

Gardeners are a competitive lot. At London's annual Chelsea Flower Show (or Flowerpalooza, as we like to call it), 600 exhibitors from as far afield as Zimbabwe and Jamaica duked it out for the top gardening prize. They weren't the only ones in battle: The upscale retailers on nearby Sloane Street also got into the war of the roses with their annual four-day Sloane in Bloom contest, with shops such as Tiffany's, Hermès, and Cartier battling it out to see who could design the most beautiful window display. The winner was announced today: Skincare guru Jo Malone, who contributed an, ahem, blooming marvelous ten-foot floral fantasy.


Social intelligence

put on some helmut, hillary

Jc

You just can't escape political chat these days, not even at fashion events. At last night's relaunch party for Jason Campbell's (above) JC Report (it's going independent and updating daily) at the W Downtown residences, where we spotted Jessica Seinfeld and Erin Fetherston, we chatted with design consultant Edward Buchanan, who weighed in on the relationship between fashion and politics. "Freedom, optimism, confidence" in personal style, he said, "relates to what's going on. Michelle Obama exudes personality. It's not necessarily about a stodgy suit, you know? She's a modern woman. She's a perfect example. People are responding to the future." And what should Hillary Clinton be wearing now? "Helmut Lang from the early nineties—that confident, razor-sharp jacket, skinny pant, black heel. Just so she goes out with strength."

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Designer update

on the lam: looking for a house in l.a.

Lam

Derek Lam has called New York City home for the better part of two decades, but the designer (who originally hails from San Francisco) hasn't forgotten his West Coast roots. Case in point: yesterday's sunglasses preview at the Chateau Marmont. "I love it here. I'm one of those people you always see walking aimlessly up and down Sunset Boulevard," he said. In fact, Lam likes L.A. life so much so that he plans to buy a house in the Hollywood Hills early next year. All the better for acquainting himself with the pack of California-based stylists and editors, many of whom experienced an indecisive moment at Wednesday morning's event while attempting to choose a style from the Spring/Summer collection. "Which ones are you wearing?" one asked Lam. But alas, the designer's silver aviator frames are not available—they're a prototype.

Photo: Linlee Allen


Designer update

alexander wang's london diary, part one

Wang

Sunday, May 18
I arrive in London and head straight to my friend Davinia Wang's house in Holland Park. She owns Edon Manor in Tribeca, which is named after her English country house, where we'll be heading at the end of the week. We freshen up, then head to Oxford Street to do some shopping. We find an amazing Chinese restaurant called Royal China and pig out before calling it an early night.


Monday, May 19

I have a photo shoot with Alice Dellal, who I am obsessed with. It's for my Uniqlo collaboration, which I just found out sold out in 30 minutes in Japan, woohoo! After the shoot, I meet up with some friends who came to London with me and we do some sightseeing around the city, which basically means more shopping.


Tuesday, May 20

We have a press breakfast at Harvey Nichols, where I score an invitation to the sample sale at Dover Street Market. That night we met up with Alice again for dinner at Nobu. The scene is really conservative, but we take over a booth, have some of the most delicious drinks on the menu, and make the place exciting. Afterwards we run into one of Alice's friends, who brings us to Tango, a club around the corner. Again, the crowd is a bit off, but we have so much fun dancing and drinking that we almost forgot about who else is there.


Wednesday, May 21

Another early meeting, this time with Vogue.co.uk for breakfast at Claridge's. It's always amusing when we end up somewhere totally proper. I feel like Gwen Stefani in the "Blow Ya Mind" video when they crash the fancy party. Next we have a whole day of appointments with editors at our amazing host Davinia's house. Then the plan is to check out Bistrotheque, so I'm super-excited.

Photo: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene


Q&A

warning: think before you ink

Tatbook

If you've ever considered getting a tattoo and, possibly in a moment of questionable sobriety, thought of forgoing the usual floral fare for, say, a large rendering of Dr. Phil's face on your back, it might be worth your while to flip through Aviva Yael, P. M. Chen, and David Cross' "No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever" (Grand Central Publishing) before taking the plunge. The epic book chronicles a year's worth of reporting and photographing at tattoo conventions and studios all over the country, documenting just about every motif you could possibly dream up (and some that transcend the limits of the human imagination), needled in ink—for perpetuity. #$%*ing ridiculous, indeed. Yael sat down with Style.com to discuss her adventures in body art.

What prompted you to embark on this veritable tattoo safari?

It basically started as a joke in a bar. Some friends of mine were sitting around and someone started telling us about an awful date he'd just had with a girl who had Lucky Charms cereal tattooed across her toes. It was around the time that those oversized fishnets were in—I think 2003—so she was able to poke her toes through her stockings, a vision he described as "vile."

Did you find a general consensus as to why people choose exaggeration over subtlety when it comes to tattoos?

Everyone has different reasons for getting their tattoos. People who get these crazy tattoos for the most part love them. They know what they're doing. For instance, the girl who got a lower-back piece that says in block letters, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU, RAY ROMANO," got that with her best friend. They decided to pick the worst tattoos they could imagine for each other. But it's obviously hilarious and that joke will never get old. Anyone who sees it on her for the rest of her life is going to crack up laughing, and she knows that. That's my favorite tattoo in the book.

Speaking of favorites, what were the worst and most ridiculous pieces you saw?

I feel like I'm always on a quest to find the all-time funniest, most ridiculous tattoo, but the ideas floating around out there on people's skin are endless—I wish I could see them all. Even the worst tattoos are sometimes the best. There was one girl who wouldn't let us put her in the book, but I'd say her Oprah Winfrey bench-pressing with a warm-up jacket was pretty up there.

Are there any specific shops that stand out for their fine—or not so fine—craftsmanship?

Definitely Marco and his team at Lit Fuse Tattoo in Olympia, Washington. They have a great sense of humor and they're really skilled. Then there are the famous artists who contributed, like Scott Campbell from Saved in Brooklyn—he designed the Olympic uniforms and did the Camel campaign recently. There are a few that aren't in the book who I genuinely admire, too, like Roman and Cholo from Artistic Element in Yucaipa, California.

Do you have any tattoos—or any ideas in the works for future tattoos?

No tattoos for me. I'm still too scared to commit! I hope to get one someday, but I think I need to make sure it's one I can live with forever, especially after seeing all the crazy stuff in this book. I've been thinking about that awful moon-faced, piano-playing, Sinatra-singing "Mac Tonight" guy who wears Ray-Bans. I hated him so much when I was little and I still cringe when I think about those awful McDonald's commercials—but as a tattoo I think it would be hilarious forever and sort of mean something to me.


Designer update

shipley & halmos: old space, new tricks

Sh

If the venerable National Arts Club, housed in the historic Tilden Mansion off Gramercy Park, is trying to update its somewhat prim image (Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Dwight D. Eisenhower were past members), last night was a decent start. Party types like Jessica Joffe and Kate Schelter gathered beneath the Greek urns and antique busts to air-kiss friends Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos who were on hand to receive the club's Inaugural Young Designer Award. Before the award presentation (at which the rowdy crowd was shushed by the club's president), the designers indulged in a little nostalgia, recalling their first-ever fashion show at the very same Tilden Mansion, as half of the one-time Trovata foursome. "It feels like we're coming full circle," Shipley said. "That [show] was such a huge, huge moment in our career; it was kind of the start. So to come back here and be honored by the fashion committee is really great." And where would the mise-en-scène-loving duo be showing for Spring? Would they take to the runway? "We've definitely talked about it," Shipley said evasively. "We haven't made any decisions." Fine. In the meantime, you can look for the designers at the club; they've been given an honorary year-long membership, which, if last night's temporary Champagne scare is any indication, means the mansion might want to restock the bar.

Photo: Marcio Madeira


Outside sources

love, peace, and chest waxing. you know, the usual.

Love and peace in the Middle East? Maybe. Israel and Syria are discussing a potential peace treaty for the first time in almost a decade, while heiress/model/etc. Lydia Hearst may be en route to Iraq, where her jet-set (as in helicopter-flying) boyfriend is being deployed. Love is in the air for newlyweds Cash Warren and Jessica Alba, too, who pulled a Chris and Ellen and skipped the whole cake-and-gown bit (we're a little hurt, but fine). Speaking of hurt, Harrison Ford had his chest waxed Steve Carell-style for a commercial stressing the adverse effects of deforestation on global warming. Tricky metaphor, Ford; next time, try a PowerPoint presentation. Naomi Campbell loves to keep us on our toes; the birthday girl's choice of deejay for her upcoming Dolce & Gabbana-hosted bash is none other than La Lohan. We thought Charlotte was the record spinner in that relationship, but presumably Campbell knows which Lohan is which. And since we're on the topic of toes, Roberto Cavalli prefers to keep his well off the ground (and have a leopard-print footrest as close as possible).

Social intelligence

in some cases, reality really does bite

A word to any would-be reality show stars: If you're going to bring your camera crew along with you, give people some advance warning. At a dinner at Bette last night that was hosted by Carlos de Souza, a certain Upper East Sider who was filming for a Bravo pilot turned up with a full complement of cameramen and soundmen. Turns out reality shows and press make for a hot-button issue when it comes to intimate soirées. "I can't believe she brought a camera in here," one editor exclaimed. "I was told this was a private party, and private means no cameras!" Or, as one irate guest noted, reality show filming should be listed on the top of an invitation if for no other reason than to let the ladies know what to wear—and how much makeup to put on.

Social intelligence

joy shreds, rips, goes native

Roxy

"I'm in uniform tonight," laughed pro-surfer Jennifer Smith of her head-to-toe Roxy look last night. Which was fitting, since she was at the launch of "Surf Girl Roxy" (Chronicle), a new collection of the best photos of the Roxy Girls surf team over the past decade. Veronica Kay Baker, who's been on the Roxy team for the past 15 years, gave us some insight into the brand: "Roxy gave us the clothes that really helped define women's surfing. Before Roxy there were no board shorts for women—they had to wear guys' trunks. Roxy came out with their own board shorts and the sport really took off. Once we had our uniforms we were ready to go!" The West Coast vibe even got to Bronx-born co-host Joy Bryant, who, when asked about her affiliation with the brand, started dropping slang like a native: "Well, aside from being a really killer shredder…I'm joking." The actress/surfer/snowboarder grinned and added enthusiastically, "I just love that is a girls' company, girls that just rip it up!"

Photo: CHANCE YEH/PatrickMcMullan.com


Designer update

natalie chanin picks up every stitch

Stitchbok

Both geographically and culturally, the fifth floor of Barneys is a long way from Florence, Alabama. But at yesterday's Alabama Chanin trunk show, designer Natalie Chanin was dishing out the Southern hospitality as she walked shoppers through custom orders of her limited-edition, hand-sewn pieces. The DIY-minded, meanwhile, could pick up a copy of Chanin's recently released "Alabama Stitch Book" and learn how to custom-make an Alabama Chanin-style skirt or dress for herself. "You know, our mission as a company is to save these traditions," Chanin said. "And our philosophy is to savor them. But the only way to make a movement is to teach women the handicraft, so they can pass that knowledge down the way my grandmother passed it down to me."


Social intelligence

i'll trade you cindy furman for candy warhol

Candy

Last night's "Unframed" event at Chelsea's Charles Cowles Gallery, sponsored by the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) and presented by Domino magazine, drew a number of collectors looking to buy hard-to-acquire signed works for a fraction of their retail values. Guest curator Beth Rudin DeWoody brought in an enviable roster of 17 contributing artists, including Chuck Webster, Lou Reed, and Donald Baechler. Peter Gerakaris, who donated works from his "Parergon Series," didn't need much prodding. "Beth and I have known each other for a few years and since she's been collecting my work, we've become friends. She invited me to do this and I said of course. No hesitations." Under different circumstances, Carlton DeWoody's "Artist Pail Kids" likely wouldn't have been featured at all. "I try to keep my art separate from my mother's career, but I decided to break that rule since it's for such a good cause." So how did DeWoody reappropriate the classic eighties trading cards? "I changed them into famous artists and gave them funny names (i.e., Cindy Furman, Candy Warhol). I thought it would be cool—something I could complete in three weeks and make more than one of."

Photo: Carlton DeWoody, from the "Artist Pail Kids" series

Social intelligence

divorce, montauk style

Divorceparty

Summers on the eastern end of Long Island and divorce—two rituals fashion folk are extremely familiar with. These two topics set the scene for Laura Dave's sophomore novel, "The Divorce Party." Set in Montauk, N.Y., because the author "wanted to capture the glamour and exclusivity" of the area, it tells the story of a young engaged couple who are visiting the future groom's family for the first time. Although they don't know it on the drive out, their engagement announcement will be celebrated at his parents' divorce party. "The Divorce Party" has already caught the eye of at least one person who has dealt with divorce and weekends by the ocean: Echo Films, the production company Jennifer Aniston founded with Kristin Hahn, has a movie based on the book in pre-production with Universal Studios. "I am really excited," Dave says about the future flick. "I think I'll wait till after that to think about what comes next for the Huntingtons."


Shopping alert

face it: you want this makeup bag

Bag4

Boots, the U.K.'s answer to Duane Reade, is getting cooler all the time. The chain's Perfect and Protect serum was an international phenomenon last year; it's the exclusive distributor of James Brown (as in the man behind Kate Moss' fringe) hair-care products; and it's just picked up the rights to Soap and Glory, Bliss Spa founder Marcia Kilgore's quirky beauty range. Now Boots has upped its hipness factor with a line of makeup bags designed by illustrator Daisy de Villeneuve, who's previously collaborated with Topshop, Moet & Chandon, and the V&A. Bright, girly, and cheerful, they're priced from £5 (about $10), which pretty much guarantees they'll be flying off shelves.


Social intelligence

boston style? it's a subtle thing

Table

Last night, at a party to celebrate the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and a special installation at the Soho Phi store, we learned the difference between fashion folk and their furniture friends. According to Anne Barrett, who along with Todd Dundon founded the Boston-based design firm 30E two years ago, the furniture fair only happens once a year, as opposed to fashion's biannual international pilgrimages. And, she says, "we're much more shy." That's why the table and the three glass panels Barrett designed, all of which were done in glossy red graffiti and based on old tombstones, will be on display at the Phi store for an entire month (no entrances or front-row preening for this crowd). "That way someone can come in and look at it when they have the time," Barrett explained. "And judge it on their own time, and to themselves." She added that since it takes much longer to make furniture than it does, say, the black leather studded boots on display, she's happy there's not a hustle to produce a new collection and a new vision every six months (I didn't have the heart to tell her about Resort, Pre-Fall, and Couture). And what did Barrett make of Phi, the New York-based label that was hosting her soirée? "I have to admit we're not too familiar with the brand in Boston. Which is a shame, 'cause I think it would do really well there. We're a little more subtle up there. No Versace for me, thanks."

Photo: Courtesy of www.30Edesign.com


Dept. of culture

liz craft's surreal world

Lizcraft

Liz Craft's art has a wacky, trippy, sixties vibe that evokes Grateful Dead covers, Krazy Kat, and R. Crumb's wise old Mr. Natural. The L.A.-born, -educated, and -based sculptor's work includes bronze cactus plants sitting in supermarket carts, a dilapidated sofa occupied by a band of birds, and a piece descriptively titled "Poop With Flies." Craft brings her mischievous fun to Santa Monica's Patrick Painter Inc. gallery, in a show that purports to "toy with themes of life, growth, and death through the artist's radical sense of humor and exquisite craftsmanship." But big metaphysical issues aside, Craft's wily wit is compelling enough in its own surreal way.

Photo: Liz Craft, courtesy of the artist and Patrick Painter Inc.


Designer update

miguel adrover goes back to nature, german-style

Hessnatu

Miguel Adrover was in town today to show pieces from his fall capsule collection for Hess Natur, an environmentally conscious German label started out of a garage in 1976 ("that's usually an American story," joked CEO Wolf Luedge). Among Adrover's designs are a hooded trench made with organic cotton and wool and treated with water-repellant beeswax rather than chemicals, a process that's unique to the company. All of the furs used are by-products of the meat industry and are tanned with vegetables and tree bark instead of chrome. "I'm learning so much," said Adrover, who signed up for a five-year stint. "Before I was just preaching about social consciousness, but now I know I'm doing something good." And how's the Mallorcan adjusting to (part-time) life in Germany? "It's different. At the end of the day we all eat at a common table—and they don't let me smoke!" Hess Natur will be available via catalog in the United States; go to www.hess-natur.com to sign up for one.

Photo: Courtesy of Hess Natur


Outside sources

london queues! marc, kate cause brit frenzies

No doubt there was an overlap in the two groups of Londoners that stormed Topshop this morning for Kate Moss' new line and those who queued around the block last night for Marc Jacobs' (who may or may not be back together with his ex again) talk at Central Saint Martins. Will the masses emerge for Katie Holmes' turn on Broadway? The Londoner arrested for calling Mrs. Cruise's adopted religion a "cult" probably won't be making the trip across the pond. Suri will most likely be a backstage regular, a practice that baby-banning Donald Trump would frown on. He's given a fair share of help to his own kids when it comes to big business, but the Donald and other dads could soon become obsolete, in which case we imagine babies would have to be allowed in the boardroom.

Designer update

high five (thousand): gen art winners

Verdi

"It's going back tomorrow," master of ceremonies Robert Verdi quipped of his Thom Browne jacket at last night's Gen Art Styles 2008 competition, fishing a tag from his pocket and grinning mischievously. Seriously though, Verdi, who ad-libbed much of his dialogue and even poked fun at the event's sponsor, Botox, was glad to support the organization. "I think that young designers need a forum," he said. "Often times a forum is the catalyst to big opportunities for the individuals, and I think that comes with a group effort." The winners of the $5,000 awards were Yujin Song (ready-to-wear), Timothy Franklin (menswear), Ninaki (accessories), Marie Potesta (avant-garde), Louisa Parris (eveningwear), and Jolibe (the Tone Radiance award).

Photo: Brian Ach/WireImage.com


Social intelligence

what to do when you meet the boss at beatrice

Lauren2

Ah, yes, the Beatrice Inn, where downtown fashionistas in skinny jeans and vintage concert tees stomp their purposefully scuffed boots to rock 'n' roll standards and sneakily smoke cigarettes while…hold on. Who's the tall, rather powerful-looking man in the corner? What's Dallas Mavericks star Jason Kidd doing in this milieu? And the two gentlemen who look like they've been knocked around a few times? None other than New York Rangers Sean Avery and Brendan Shanahan. The pair were sharing a velvet banquette with Lauren Santo Domingo, May Andersen, and Olivier Theyskens, who were fresh from the American Ballet Theater gala—a random seating selection if we've ever seen one. And it only got weirder. "That's my intern," Santo Domingo teased to Theyskens when she introduced him to Avery, who diligently played the part. "What can I get you to drink?" he asked, adding sotto voce to Shanahan, "You've got to kiss up to your boss." Feeling left out, Shanahan inquired if Style.com was still taking summer intern applications (the father of twins even inquired about CondéNet's nanny services). Theyskens, however, was left scratching his head. "But what does he do in the office?" the designer wondered. "Does he want to intern at Nina Ricci next summer?"

Photo: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene


Dept. of culture

what hollywood doesn't know about middle-aged women

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Hollywood may like to pretend that middle-aged women don't have sex lives, but the Danish artist Jesper Just knows otherwise. In his first London show, which opens today at the Victoria Miro gallery, Just will premiere his newly commissioned film trilogy, "A Voyage in Dwelling," starring renowned Danish stage and television actress Benedikte Hansen. Shot on an isolated island to an original soundtrack by theremin composer Dorit Chrysler and American transgendered singer/songwriter Baby Dee, the trilogy explores Hansen's fantasies and insecurities. And though she's past what some might consider her sexual peak, Just's art empowers her to serve as a model for women blossoming into real maturity.

Photo: Jesper Just, "A Vicious Undertow," super 16mm transferred to DVD. Courtesy of Victoria Miro Gallery.

Social intelligence

chloe does it for the boys

Chloesev

Chloë Sevigny's next foray into fashion design will be aimed at her male fans. Yep, when her busy schedule permits (she's back in L.A. shooting another season of her HBO hit "Big Love" right now), the actress will collaborate with Opening Ceremony on a men's line. "Not only did I want to do something for the guys in my life, but a lot of my girlfriends prefer to wear men's stuff," Sevigny told us, adding that girl versions won't have different tailoring; they will just come in smaller sizes. "I think what they like about men's clothes is the fit. So I don't want to change that. It'll be a new challenge." She also revealed that her much lauded one-off collection could have easily given way to a second if she had known that the writers' strike was going to leave her in New York for four months twiddling her thumbs. "If I had known that I [was going to have] that time off, I probably would have thought about doing another collection. But I'm really looking forward to doing something completely different, too."

Photo: Bennett Raglin/WireImage


Shopping alert

manolo blooms in chelsea

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The Chelsea Flower show, which kicks off today in London, is, bar none, the world's most famous horticultural event, with the sort of fanatical following usually reserved for summer music festivals. So when Manolo Blahnik was asked to design this year's official poster, he couldn't refuse. "I was practically born in a garden and am mad for flowers and plants, so it had to be done. Plus, the Chelsea Flower Show is something of a Chelsea institution, and I built my reputation in Chelsea!" he said. In typical Blahnik style, he went one further and created the Chelsea Flower Show Shoe, in a floral satin print that has summer wedding written all over it. The bad news is that it's strictly limited edition—only ten pairs were made. And they'll only be available at Blahnik's Chelsea shop, starting today.

Photo: Courtesy of Manolo Blahnik


Social intelligence

at bg, three hosts are better than one

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Friday night's cocktail party at Bergdorf Goodman's Men's Store in New York was a style-minded threesome put on by British retailer Bamford, Wallpaper magazine, and Bergdorf's. In honor of the week's big design act—the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, which kicked off Saturday at the Javits Center—the trio collaborated on window and in-store installations that married furniture from the IFCC with men's and women's looks from Bamford's Spring '08 collection and art from the June issue of Wallpaper. "I feel like we're in the right place at the right time," the magazine's editor-in-chief Tony Chambers, fresh from London, said of fashion and design's increasingly symbiotic relationship. "Both sides are fascinated by and learn from each other." Further proof of the love was Chamber's answer to the design world's biggest trend. "Sustainability," he said unequivocally. Looks like fashion's latest buzzword is set to become a permanent part of the style lexicon.

Photo: Ricky Zehavi and John Cordes


Outside sources

if a celebrity falls in the forest…

What's the fun of a semi-celebrity wedding if there aren't any photos? Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz may be in conjugal bliss right now, but without the paparazzi there, it's like it never happened (didn't Susan Sontag write an essay on this very topic?). Same goes for sports. With Andy Roddick's bum shoulder keeping him out of the French Open, we're suddenly getting a very démodé vibe from tennis. And gentlemen, if you're trying to make us regain interest in sporting events, thongs are not the answer. As for another no-show, ScarJo was très absent at Cannes this weekend. Looks like we'll have to learn how to do without.

Social intelligence

georgia not on galliano's mind

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The Savannah College of Art and Design's student fashion show on Saturday evening had everything a typical Bryant Park production doesn't: size 6 models, endearingly earnest designers, and an audience—proud parents bearing camcorders and fellow students shouting "you go, girl"—that was neither critical nor sycophantic. What the show did lack, however, was its guest of honor, John Galliano, who was stuck in New York with a 104 degree fever. Taking the stage in a red satin robe and fuchsia turban, Vogue's André Leon Talley sang the praises of the absentee designer, this year's recipient of the school's André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award. "He has always lived in a secret garden which he cultivates…I've seen him high, low, rich, poor. The first time I met him, he was wearing Little Lord Fauntleroy shorts and Mary Janes." Two designers who did manage to make the trip down were Ruffian's Brian Wolk and Claude Morais, who had mentored a select group of SCAD students throughout the year in the school's inaugural "style lab" program. "We had to be disciplinarians," Morais said. "Like when the kids were dragging their feet we'd be like, 'OK, the show is in a month. Stop your bullshit and just sew your clothes.' But it was worth it in the end. And we love Savannah. We're thinking about buying a house here. It'd be a great place to raise children." "IF we decide to have any," Wolk quickly countered.

Photo: Courtesy of the Savannah College of Art and Design


Social intelligence

in vienna, life, the universe, and everything

Lifeball

If you've never been to Life