>> The deluge continues; after yesterday's introduction to the Spring 2011 Chanel, Tom Ford, and Marc by Marc Jacobs campaigns, today brings another onslaught — Karlie Kloss's third straight campaign as face of Christian Dior; a first look at Kasia Struss for Miu Miu (Sasha Pivovarova and Querelle Jansen are also said to have been cast by the label); and perhaps our favorite campaign of the season so far, Alex Prager's take on Karolina Kurkova for Bottega Veneta, left.
>> At the end of last week, Puerto Rican-born model Joan Smalls became the third new model signed by Estee Lauder this year; she joins Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen, who were welcomed by the brand in April, and long-term Lauder faces Carolyn Murphy, Hilary Rhoda, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Elizabeth Hurley.
Last Monday and Tuesday, Smalls, Jablonski, and Wen filmed a television commercial for Lauder in New York — Vogue has a couple of pictures on set. Smalls is the first black face of the brand since Liya Kebede's contract ended in 2008, and her global campaigns debut in May 2011. She told Vogue: “When I found out, I was in my hotel room in Milan during Fashion Week. I started jumping on the bed like a little girl. The hardest part was keeping it secret — even from my parents.”
>> Last night, the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners were announced, but before they could be named during the dinner gala at New York's Skylight Studios, the results were leaked on WWD's Twitter: Billy Reid won outright, and Prabal Gurung and Eddie Borgo were both named runners-up.
Style.com's Nicole Phelps wrote that the results were a bit of a surprise: "Many in the audience had pegged Gurung and Joseph Altuzarra as the front-runners." But nevermind: the prizes were even bigger this year, with Reid granted $300,000 (up from $200,000), and Borgo and Gurung each taking $100,000 (up from $50,000). "The main prize is the mentoring we provide," CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg noted of the increase, "but a little cash never hurts."
The rest of this year's finalists — Christian Cota, Robert Geller, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, Pamela Love of Pamela Love Jewelry, Moss Lipow and Gregory Parkinson — were treated to a keynote speech by Karl Lagerfeld, who talked about how much fun Yves Saint Laurent was "before Pierre Berge" and advised: "Young goes. But good? If you're good, it may all last."
>> The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has come a long way in 15 years — see the very first show, sans any wings, here — and this year, the theme is "A Night of a Thousand Fantasies." The first few costume images have popped up (Lily Aldridge's two looks can be seen here), and we've got a few confirmed names to add to the list: among them, Selita Ebanks, Katsia Damenkova, Anne Vyalitsyna (who's getting her first wings this year), Constance Jablonski, Gracie Carvalho, Lily Donaldson, and Lais Ribeiro.
There's also a new casting video out, and Ed Razek, chief marketing officer of Limited Brands, parent company of Victoria's Secret, admits of the process: "I hate castings, because I’m basically a softy and I hate the broken hearts and I hate saying no . . . What people don’t realize is that [those who fit the parameters of a Victoria's Secret model are] rarer by far than superstar athletes. The numbers of people who can do this are probably under 100 in the world. And in the show, it’s only [33] girls.”
And the castings — which Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou and Dan May of Harper’s Bazaar UK and 10 Magazine have a say in as stylists — are tough. Maryna Linchuk had to audition again this year, despite walking in the show in the past, because bodies change, Monica Mitro, executive producer of the show, said. “You don’t see them for a minute, and . . . ” she added, holding her hands wide to gesture for broad hips. But some faults are more forgivable than others — when Caroline Winberg walked in to casting, with hair described by the New York Times as "frazzled by styling until it was the texture of wood shavings," Mitro stated: “Never mind the hair . . . we can always do something about the hair."
Estée Lauder’s newest faces – Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen – and seasoned vets Hilary Rhoda and Carolyn Murphy chat with BellaSugar at New York Fashion Week. The brand ambassadors share their tips on looking fresh-faced even with a crazy schedule, and let us in on the best beauty advice they’ve ever received. Check out our video for more beauty secrets from top models!
Tonight is Fashion's Night Out, and New York City will be filled with pretty much every big name in fashion and beauty. Designers, stylists, models, makeup artists, and more will be part of the most style-filled evening of the year. If you're headed out but don't know where to start, we've rounded up 10 can't-fail options for a beautiful time. Check out these choices, and come track us down to say hello!
Estee Lauder is loving life a la française. This year, the brand signed its first-ever French face, 19-year-old Constance Jablonski. In addition, it's freshening up its makeup collection with creative makeup director Tom Pecheux — also French. To celebrate the duo, Estee Lauder invited me to Paris, where I spoke with both about their new roles. Look for Tom's makeup advice soon, but for now, let's close out our series with Constance. She's already spoken about fashion, her beauty routine, and now she's sharing her philosophy on staying healthy. For the Q&A, read more.
Shirtless footballers have been in the spotlight since the start of the World Cup, but V Magazine's got a hot look at the women behind the players. Inspired by Argentinian botineras, aka footballers' wives, Dree Hemingway, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Constance Jablonski strike a few sizzling poses, snapped by Sebastian Faena, in a tribute to the game and the world's hottest bods. Brace yourselves, what comes next is straight up sexy.
Model Constance Jablonski is not yet a household name, but it won't be long before her face becomes mega-famous. Along with racking up countless credits in fashion shows and magazines, she's recently become the first French spokesmodel for Estée Lauder.
The first part of our interview covered skin care, and now she's revealing the aww-inspiring story of how she became a model. Constance, clad in an Alaia dress and Lanvin shoes, also dished on what she loves about French fashion. For the continued Q&A, keep reading.
