The Roitfeld story unfolds..

During the weekend a lot of rumors surfaced regarding Carine Roitfeld leaving Vogue France after a career of 10 years at the magazine. Employees of Vogue are now saying that Carine didn't leave Vogue voluntarily, but that she got fired by Condé Nast. Apparently they all received an email last Friday saying Carine doesn't work at Vogue anymore.

Despite the fact that the editor-in-chief was praised a lot for her daring and innovating productions, she also got a lot of bad press last year. Balenciaga removed Roitfeld from their guestlist when she was suspected of passing their designs on to Max Mara.

And Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH wasn't pleased with Roiteld's recent work. He thought that there were too few LVMH credits in the January issue and he found the shoot with young models with heavy make-up and dressed in designer clothing rather tasteless. He threatened to reduce the number of advertisements of the luxury group in Vogue, which of course, Condé Nast wasn't very happy about.

There's definitely more to this story. To be continued...

Carine Roitfeld is leaving Vogue France

Yup, it's hard to believe, I know, but it's true. After more than 10 years, Carine Roitfeld will put an end to her carreer at Vogue, free willingly that is. In a few weeks, she will no longer be known as the editor-in-chief of Vogue France. Under her guidance the magazine grew out to be what it is today; internationally respected.

Little is known of what her plans are for the future. In fact, she told fashion journalist Cathy Horyn that she doesn't have any at the moment. She looks back on her career at Vogue as a fun time: "I got the freedom to do whatever I wanted. And I think I did a great job. But if everything is going great, it is time to start something new."

The March number will be the last edition published under her control. But what will happen after, only time will tell.. Condé Nast hasn't appointed a successor yet. I'm pretty curious about who's it going to be and how it will influence Vogue France. Either way, Carine will definitely be missed..

Cartier Winter Tale

Cartier has been using panther cubs in their campaigns for a while now, but for the new Cartier Winter Tale campaign the panther cub is the one and only the star. Be prepared for some cuteness overload!

Blake Lively is the new 'Chanel girl'

We all know Blake Lively has been Kaiser Karl's new favorite for a while now. Lively has made her love for the brand known by regularly wearing Chanel. She also attended the Fall/Winter 2010-2011 couture shows this past July, and stopped by the opening of Chanel’s SoHo store in September. Now, rumor has it that the three-time Vogue covergirl snagged the most coveted campaign: that as the new Chanel girl.

E!'s Mark Malkin has it on good authority that the Gossip Girl star was just in Paris shooting a handbag campaign for the Kaiser. The ad campaign should run early next year.

 

She has pretty big shoes to fill as Karl's new favorite. Previous Chanel girls were Keira Knightley, Lilly Allen, Vanessa Paradis and Georgia May Jagger. I think she's a great choice and I honestly can't wait to see it!

Steve Madden is coming to Belgium!

I'm pleased to announce that the popular American footwear brand Steve Madden is finally coming to the Benelux! Steve Madden started designing shoes in 1990 and now has over 82 stores offering shoes and accessories for men, women and children. He gets inspired by rock 'n roll and urban edge to design shoes that are innovative, fun and always trendy-chic. No wonder he has countless celebrity fans like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Heidi Klum, Kate Moss and Rihanna.

Tom Ford for H&M?

The Lanvin for H&M collection has just hit the stores, and people are already speculating who's the next designer in line to design a collection for H&M. Rumor has it that the next designer is Tom Ford, former head designer at Gucci. According to French Tribune, the limited edition collection is going to be the same edition that appeared  the December-January issue of French Vogue, when Tom Ford was the guest editor.

These are pretty rough speculations if you ask me. Personally, I think it's very unlikely to happen if you consider the fact that Tom is very committed to the concept of luxury and that he has no interest in all the press attention that comes with a launch at H&M months before the official release. He really doesn't need it. He even banned the press entirely when he launched his 'Tom for womens collection', so you wouldn't see it. Second, who would want to pay a truckload of money for a dress when everyone can get the same one for a whole lot less at H&M? Exactly, no one. He would kill his own business.

Nevertheless, I do think it would be great though. This would be one of the 'bigger fish' for H&M to catch. To be an (ex) head designer at Gucci.. well, that means something! But for now to say exactly what collection is going to be copied, that seems a bit shady to me.

Source: French Tribune

Design your own Longchamp

French handbagdesigner Longchamp is embracing the social media with the launch of their new application: 'Your Very Own Le Pliage' on Facebook. Just like on the website, it's now possible to customize your own Longchamp 'Le Pliage' model, just the way you want it. Creations can be shared with friends and a gallery is featured on the Longchamp Facebook page. Prices vary from 40 - 90 euro and delivery takes up to 3 weeks.

DIY Burberry?

Attention all aspiring designers! Soon you'll be able to be your own Christopher Bailey and design your own Burberry trench coat! Burberry has revealed that they're releasing a website in early next year where you can custimise your own trench coat online, entitled Burberry Bespoke. The website will offer over 12 million available design variations, from the choice of fabric and colour of the fabric to the type of buttons and style of lining. Prices will vary according to each look.

In the meantime, 'Harry Potter' actress Emma Watson has been spotted wearing one of the first Burberry Bespoke designs, a classic beige trench with black leather sleeves. What do you think? DIY or leave it to Christopher?

Celebrity drama at H&M

According to Elle, H&M won't let anyone wear the Lanvin x H&M collection before the runway show in New York on November 18. Even when worldfamous starlets like Jennifer Lopez and Madonna asked to "borrow" (read: have it before anyone else) pieces from the collection, they were simply told "no". Then why are British celebs like Roisin Murphy and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who don't have quite as much celebrity status as J. Lo or Madge, pictured wearing the dresses at London's Lanvin preview? Even some Belgian celebrities that attended the preview in Brussels were each offered to choose a piece to take home (for free) according to newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

On the other hand, why would any celebrity with such a high status want to get a piece from the collection? If you have that much power and money, why get a Lanvin for H&M piece, when you can easily afford the real deal? The whole point of Alber Elbaz was to be able to broaden his audience, meaning that he wanted to reach people who can't afford an original Lanvin piece. Plus, H&M doesn't need the celebrity publicity on these designer collaborations, they will sell out like hot cakes in no time anyway. If it were me I would stop whining and get my ass to the nearest Lanvin store or visit Net-a-Porter.com.

 

Source: Elle.com

Katy Perry wears Van Steenbergen

In her newest music video "Firework", popstar Katy Parry is wearing a creation of the Belgian designer Tim Van Steenbergen. In the first minutes of the music video she's wearing the designers' shoulder pads that are decorated with silver beads.

"Perry saw the accessory at the Curve store in New York or Los Angeles and made her stylist get in touch with us." said the spokesperson of Tim Van Steenbergen. Here in Belgium, only the gold version of the piece will be available at the bridal shop Punt Komma in Lier.

Olivia Palermo for Mango a/w 2010

Here they are, the campaign shots of the Mango holiday 2010 collection, featuring 'The City' star Olivia Palermo and her German model boyfriend Johannes Huebl.

United Bamboo's 2011 Cat Calendar

New York-based label United Bamboo has a very unique way of drawing attention to their clothing. They offer cat calendars to their clients. Now what is so special about that, you say? Well, they dress the felines up in cat-size versions of pieces of their Fall 2010, Resort 2011 and Spring 2011 collections. Now who can resist a cute cat in a mini fur-trimmed parka? In fact, it makes me want both.

Amy Winehouse teams up with Fred Perry

Long-time Fred Perry fan Amy Winehouse teamed up with the brand to create her own 17-piece collection of apparel and accessories. Classic pieces – the twin-tipped M12 polo shirt, the Harrington jacket, the jumper dress – are given the full Winehouse treatment but still remain instantly recognisable.

Calvin Klein Jeans X ad banned for allegedly promoting rape

Australia's Advertising Standards Bureau has banned a Calvin Klein X Jeans autumn/winter ad after it received 50+ complaints that the images suggest gang rape and violence. The ad shows model Lara Stone surrounded by shirtless men with her head laying in one man’s lap while another appears to be climbing over her. 

Abercrombie & Fitch is coming to Belgium!

Great news for all Abercrombie & Fitch lovers! The super popular American retailer is opening it's first Belgian shop in March 2011 in the Waterloolaan in Brussels, where chic designers like Vuitton, Chanel, Dior and Burberry have their stores. The boutique will be over 1.600 square meters and in the complete A&F high school style as we know it. I'm so looking forward to this opening! I hope they'll have some hot male models at the door too! ;-)

Sneak peak at Lanvin for H&M: part 2

Another campaign shot of the Lanvin for H&M collection has been revealed! Instead of the little black dresses we've seen, these items are bursting with color! Which ones do you prefer?

Sneak peak at Lanvin for H&M

The first shot of the Lanvin for H&M campaign has been revealed (or leaked??)! The collection is filled with rushes, assymetric shapes, puffed shoulders, silk and black. I especially adore the dress on the left! I can't wait to see the entire collection on November 2nd!

Lancering shopVIP.com

Vandaag ben ik speciaal naar de Stadsfeestzaal van Antwerpen afgereisd voor de feestelijke lancering van shopVIP.com in aanwezigheid van pers en enkele BV's. Daar werd het nieuwe online shoppingconcept aan ons voorgesteld door Tiany Kiriloff, Fashion Director voor Vlaanderen, en Bastiaan van Schaik, Fashion Director voor Nederland.

Bono designs handbag for Louis Vuitton

U2 frontman Bono designed a handbag for Louis Vuitton together with his wife Ali Hewson. The profits are meant to help decrease poverty in Africa. This was announced by Bono and his wife on the opening of the expo 'Africa Rising' in Paris, on the same day Louis Vuitton introduced it's new collection.

The handbag Ali is wearing is a collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Edun, the Africa-inspired clothing line of Bono and Ali. The profits of the handbag will be donated to TechnoServe, an institution that supports companies in developing countries, and to the Conservation Cotton Initiative, that stimulates sustainable agriculture in Africa.

Heidi Klum quits Victoria's Secret

'Head angel' and supermodel Heidi Klum is quitting Victoria's Secret after 13 years. She said she's hanging up her wings and won't be walking in the November show. "All good things have to come to an end. I will always love Victoria's Secret. It has been an absolutely amazing time."

The German beauty started modeling for the company in the late 1990s, becoming 'Head Angel' in 2002, and has been a regular fixture of the underwear firm's campaigns and popular catwalk events. She stole the show at last year's fashion bash when she strode out wearing revealing lingerie just five weeks after giving birth to baby Lou.

 

Sources say she's busy with her TV show "Project Runway" and a clothing line. Her exit means a new top angel will have to be crowned. With Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes both pregnant, the chief wings could go to Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrósio or one of the new generation of Angels; Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel, Chanel Iman or Erin Heatherton.

Who's you're favorite to be the next 'Victoria's Secret Head Angel'?