Fendi

>> Newcomer Anthony Vaccarello, the 31-year-old Paris-based Belgian designer who just presented his first show in March during Paris Fashion Week, has won the 2011 ANDAM prize.

Vaccarello, who beat out fellow nominees Adam Kimmel, Commuun, Jeremy Laing, Matthew Harding, and Yiqing Yin, takes home 200,000 euros ($288,540), plus 10,000 euros ($14,427) worth of Swarovski crystals to use on his Spring 2012 collection. "This award is a vote of confidence for me, and it means I can continue to show. Perhaps this will help me find a financial partner," the designer said.

He was previously recruited by Karl Lagerfeld to Fendi, where he spent two years before starting his own label, and for his debut show in March, he worked with Alex de Betak (who typically produces shows for global brands like Dior) on a psychedelic light show; Emmanuelle Alt (who also happened to be part of this year's ANDAM jury panel) was front row.

• Fendi forced to remove fur from their Seoul runway show — Huffington Post
• Jane Pratt is not trying to ride Tavi's coattails — The Cut
• Candace Ang designs jewelry in unexpected materials — The Inside Source
• Proenza Schouler's PS1 now comes in green for Spring — Purse Blog
• Sophie Theallet on her Nine West collaboration — Lucky
• Lily Aldridge married Caleb Followill over the weekend — Vogue UK
• Will Naomi be Kate's maid of honor? — Modelinia
• The ultimate gift guide for any summer occasion — Refinery29
• Pippa Middleton's style: 24 awesome outfit photos — InStyle
• Bespoke denim: the perfect pair of jeans, solved — Vogue Daily

Blair Waldorf was all business in a fitted Fendi dress and chain Milly coat in episode 21 of Gossip Girl. Ms. Waldorf accessorized her sophisticated attire with a lace Louis Vuitton satchel, nude Vince Camuto pumps, and a green Oscar de la Renta scarf. Shop now for like items to copy Blair's NYC style.

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Photo courtesy of The CW

>> Karl Lagerfeld has never been one to hold verbal punches, and his recent conversation with W — in which he tells us how he really feels about Christophe Decarnin, explains why he doesn't use computers, and vouches for which designers he would like to see at Dior — is no exception.

A few highlights, below.

On whether he'll ever cut his hair: "No, because I’m afraid it won’t grow again. And I’m not very gifted for hairdos. This is the quickest thing in the world. It takes less than five seconds. I have someone who comes to the house and washes it, puts in the dry shampoo, and takes care of it because I have no time. I don’t even have time to go to the dentist. I’m busy but in a pleasant way. I’m the one who wanted to do all of it, so I can’t complain."

On who he wants to see take over at Givenchy: "Well I’m not a consultant there, but I think Riccardo Tisci would be good, and then Haider Ackermann at Givenchy — not because they are friends of mine, but because they are good."

And if he still wants Haider Ackermann to take over at Chanel: "Not especially. It’s not his world I don’t think."

His thoughts on Christophe Decarnin leaving Balmain: "Forget about it! This was a job done by a fashion editor. I don’t even know the name of the man who did it, so don’t ask me about that."

On why he doesn't use a computer and instead communicates by fax: "It’s very easy to explain: For me, sketching and writing are the same thing. I like to write. It’s a physical thing — I hate to be without paper and pencil in hand. And I write like a talk. I can put my way of talking on the paper exactly the same way. The machines they tried to make where you write directly on computers are not perfect. The minute they’re perfect, I will use them."

The one thing he doesn't like women to wear: "I’m not mad for thongs."

>> Carine Roitfeld isn't totally letting go of her French roots, despite teaming up with Barneys stateside for a multifaceted Fall 2010 initiative; she also styled Chanel's Fall 2011 campaign, which Karl Lagerfeld just shot in Paris. Featured is perennial Chanel face Freja Beha Erichsen — Fall 2011 marks her fifth consecutive campaign for the house but her first solo. “The mix with Freja was genius,” Lagerfeld promises.

Lagerfeld is also repeating a face at Fendi— he's shooting Anja Rubik for her fourth straight campaign next week (“I like to work with the same girls and boys all the time,” he quips.). As is Michael Kors, who tapped Karmen Pedaru for the second time in a row, posting a picture from the Fall 2011 campaign shoot yesterday on his official Facebook. Over at Yves Saint Laurent, meanwhile, the supporting team is the same — Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin behind the lens and Joe McKenna styling — but Raquel Zimmerman is reportedly the Fall 2011 subject, replacing Spring 2011's Arizona Muse.

But back to Lagerfeld: in preparation of the upcoming Chanel Cruise 2012 fashion show in Antibes on May 9, he's gathering Erichsen, Lady Amanda Harlech, Anna Mouglalis, and Kristen McMenamy to star in his annual Chanel Cruise short film. This one, he's shooting in Monaco and the South of France.

• amfAR remembers Elizabeth Taylor — InStyle
• Jason Wu has sage advice for Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer — Vogue UK Daily
Marc Jacobs doesn't bother trying to say no to a Vogue request — The Cut
• Watch Mulberry's Spring 2011 ad campaign — FabSugarUK
• Alexander Wang offers hand-held industrialism — Purse Blog
• American Apparel could be saved . . . if only people would shop there — Jezebel
• Window dressing: Rowan Mersh sculpts for Fendi — Nylon Blog
• Fantastic plastic: a beachcomber makes over Loomstate tees — Vogue Daily

• Hedi Slimane will not be John Galliano's successor at Dior — Vogue UK Daily
• Irina Lazareanu entertains the crowd at SXSW — Modelinia
• Transition to Spring with these backless pants . . . or don't — Refinery29
• The top three sales happening today — Lucky
• Franca Sozzani blames Facebook and pro-anorexia websites for the rise of eating disorders — The Cut
• Fendi Borsa colorblock crossbody bag: be still my heart — Bag Snob
• Strap happy: Christian Louboutin's interchangeable handle bags — Vogue Daily
• Spring fashion trend: lightweight leather and suede — The Inside Source
• Abbie Cornish's secret talent? Graffiti artist — InStyle