Nicola Formichetti Focusing on His Dreams

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers,

Nicola Formichetti is focusing on his own "dream" after years of styling Lady Gaga.

The 34-year-old designer - who is renowned for making the eccentric outfits worn by the "Judas" hitmaker in addition to being the creative director of Mugler - admits he has had to "embrace" a new side of himself now he is in the process of launching his own brand.

"This year I wanted to focus on my own dream. Being a stylist, you always hide behind a brand, but because of Gaga and Mugler, I needed to come out onto the scene. I had to embrace it," he explained.

Discussing the outfits, the Japanese/Italian creative said he wanted to make new technology because materials have largely been the same for such a long time: "Why do you have a zipper when you can have a jacket that's molded to your body? It'll be very digitally oriented and high-tech. We've been working with the same fabrics, the same techniques for hundreds of years. That's all great, but we need something new."

The first items are due out in 2013.

Emmanuelle Alt Fills French Vogue Editor Position

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: News,

Emmanuelle Alt says it is an "honor" to be named as the new editor-in-chief of French Vogue.

The 41-year-old fashionista will replace Carine Roitfeld in the coveted position at the prestigious magazine and admits she can't wait to get to work:

"It is a great honor for me, and also a great pleasure, to arrive at the head of Vogue Paris which I know so well. By working with such a talented team, I am confident of developing the incredible potential of the magazine."

Emmanuelle, who will begin her new role on February 1, worked at the publication as fashion director during Carine's editorship. She began her career in 1990 at Elle, becoming fashion director at age 20.

"Vogue Paris is performing strongly and I wish to entrust the editor-in-chief position to someone who will ensure a certain continuity, while bringing a new energy and dimension. Emmanuelle has all the professional and personal qualities required to maintain Vogue Paris as a world reference among fashion magazines. Vogue Paris will remain the most important fashion, beauty and cultural magazine, working with the world's greatest photographers and stylists. I totally trust her to manage this prestigious brand and develop it in all its dimensions, including digital," said Xavier Romatet, president of Conde Nast France, which publishes French Vogue.

Leah Wood Eyes Pirelli Calendar

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Models,

Leah Wood wants to appear in a Pirelli calendar. The 32-year-old model - daughter of Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood and his ex-wife Jo Wood - is keen to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Penelope Cruz by starring in the annual publication, which in the past has been shot by Karl Lagerfeld, Annie Leibovitz, Terry Richardson and Nick Knight.

"I would still love to be in a Pirelli calendar. I also want to work with David LaChappelle, and to be in a movie," Leah said when talking about her ambitions.

The calendar is renowned for its limited availability because it is not sold and is only given as a corporate gift to a restricted number of important Pirelli customers and celebrity VIPs.

As well as wanting to appear in a Pirelli calendar, last month, Leah modelled for Blue Moon Beer's Living Exhibition - a display made up of unique print designs, which adorned people rather than walls - and she loved every minute of it: "The project is very artistic and I love painting. Artists had created exclusive designs for the Living Exhibition and were very hands on throughout the night. Guests could choose which design they wanted on a T-shirt and then watch the whole live screen printing take place."

Erin O’Connor Grateful For Short Hair

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hairstyles, Health & Beauty, Models,

Erin O'Connor only became a successful model after cutting off all her hair.

The 32-year-old beauty says she wasn't getting very many jobs when she first started out in the industry because she looked so similar to the other girls, so took advice and chopped off her long locks.

"When I first began modeling I was very conventional looking - I had hair down to my waist. I went on a photo shoot and a make-up artist told me 'You need to cut off your hair - it's doing you no favors. If you do that we'll see you.' A new identity was born for me - quite tough, quite unapologetic but definitely there."

Erin recently revealed she has no plans to retire from the catwalk, despite being one of the more older models. "I hate that idea of retirement or 'You're past your sell-by-date.' That is very odd, because, for me, it is about moving, showcasing and being an outrageous poser. You'd think after 15 years I would be bored, but I'm not. The catwalk is like liberation, because there is a bit of performance involved, a bit of skill thrown in, so it doesn't matter what age you are."

Supportive Dad Richie Sambora

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, Models, News,

Richie Sambora will support his daughter if she wants to become a full-time model. The Bon Jovi rocker, who has his own fashion line, White Trash Beautiful, says 13-year-old Ava is already showing signs of making it in the fashion world after modeling clothes for his range but says she needs to finish her education first.

"It's so much fun. I did a photo shoot with her a few years ago. I just said to the photographer, 'Can you take some pictures for me, for my house of my daughter?' And she went 'Dad can I model?' The only modelling she has really done has been at my shows. That is where we are right now - her priorities are schoolwork and also I believe in maintaining the innocence of children. Before that when she is 18 or 19 she is going to do what she wants to do and I'm going to support her and help her through it," Richie said of working with his daughter.

However, Richie says if Ava does want to make it as a model, she will have to be prepared to work very hard. "Be very afraid and work very hard at your craft. There's so many people trying to get in. It's getting harder and harder all over, in every industry in every business," he advised.

Crystal Renn Takes Plus Size to Paris

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, Fashion Shows, Health & Beauty, Models, News,

Plus size model Crystal Renn has stormed the catwalks of Paris Fashion Week.

The curvaceous beauty flaunted her size 14 figure on the runways of legendary French fashion houses Chanel and Jean Paul Gaultier. After walking for the Zac Posen ZSpoke show at New York Fashion Week last month, the model has revealed being treated like “any other girl” in Paris has been an “amazing” experience.

“This has been one of the most amazing times of my life. I’ve done one show before, usually as a special guest, but to be working this much is incredible. Being treated as one of the pack, not the plus size model, is a real breakthrough. I’m here being treated like any other girl. It doesn’t matter my size. It doesn’t matter who I am. I’m going on castings like everybody else.”

Crystal admitted the fashion industry is becoming increasingly accepting of those who stray away from the model norm: “I’m still different from most of the girls at the castings but when I first started, the girls were all blonde, all emaciated and miserable looking. Now, there’s more ethnic diversity. The girls are not as skinny as before. You do see size 10s and a couple size 12s. There is change happening in the industry. There is more allowance for people to be different. I’m so impressed. I can’t wait for next season.”

Heidi Klum Hangs Up Angel Wings

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Shows, Models, News,

Model-turned-television star Heidi Klum is quitting Victoria’s Secret.

The supermodel has been at the lingerie giant for 13 years but has now announced she is hanging up her angel wings and won’t be strutting down the runway in the annual 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.”

In 2002, Heidi became the “Head Angel” and amazed everyone last year when she posed in her underwear at the show just five weeks after giving birth to her fourth child. Other Victoria’s Secret Angels include Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Heidi recently admitted she has got a “sell-by date” and said there are only certain campaigns she will sign up to now because the rest are more suited to younger girls: “Models have a sell-by date. There are certain jobs I don’t do anymore, like the young, sexy, cute things for teenagers, or even 25-year-old girls. I go in a different bracket now.”

Loyal Muse Naomi Campbell

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Fashion Designers, Fashion Shows, Health & Beauty, Models,

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is “loyal” to the fashion designers she has worked with from a young age.

The British-born model explained the support of the likes of Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent helped her break into the industry, and while she is not “forced” to wear their designs, she considers them to be “creative geniuses.”

“Our group kind of broke in with the support of designers like Gianni Versace, Azzedine Alaia, Yves Saint Laurent, and Karl Lagerfeld, and their connections to both the magazines and the photographers. I loved watching so many of the great designers I’ve worked with do what they do. That’s why I’m still loyal to the designers that I’ve known since I was 16. It’s not that I’m forced to be - it’s that they’re creative geniuses and I love what they do. For my whole group of girls, it wasn’t always about how much we were getting paid. We were interested in how creative it looked-how it would come across.”

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Happy and Healthy Naomi Campbell

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Health & Beauty, Models,

Naomi Campbell insists she is a lot healthier than when she first started her career.

The supermodel, who celebrated 25 years in the fashion industry with an exclusive party last week, says she is now taking care of herself and has never felt better. “I feel healthier. My whole diet is different; I feel that my thoughts are clearer now.”

Throughout her illustrious career, Naomi has worked with many photographers but says it’s impossible to pick out a favorite: “No, there isn’t a favorite because they’re all at different times of my life and they’re a timeline of my life, they all mean a lot to me. Of course, Herb Ritts is no longer with us but Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Tom Munro, David Tang - they’re all different and important.”

Naomi also revealed her excitement at seeing more black models in the industry because there were hardly any when she first started out. “It’s a lot better than it was. I’m impressed with Fashion Week in New York. I have to see the end of fashion week in London to know but it’s been really great so far.”

Dolce and Gabbana Celebrate Naomi Campbell’s Career

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Celebrities, Fashion Designers, Models, News,

Supermodel Naomi Campbell was honored by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana last night.

The Italian designers held a party for Campbell at the Dolce & Gabbana flagship store in London’s Bond Street to celebrate her 25 years in the fashion industry, where they heaped praise on the 40-year-old beauty. “Besides being one of our favorite models, Naomi is also a great friend and a special woman. What matters to us, and what we would like to celebrate, are the private moments we shared and that allowed us to know her generosity, her funny jokes and being always ready to help those who needed it,” said Dolce and Gabbana.

As well as celebrating her success, the party also helped raise money for flood victims in Pakistan by 14 signing a Dolce & Gabbana T-Shirts with her print on it, which will go on sale. The proceeds will go to flood victims through Naomi’s Fashion For Relief charity and she said she aims to raise as much money as she can. “I think not just of this disaster but all the ones over the last three years.”

Other guests at the exclusive party included Lily Allen, Claudia Schiffer and Elizabeth Hurley.