Virginia Smith

>> There's been plenty of speculation on who might replace Julie Gilhart as Barneys's new fashion director — Virginia Smith and Sarah Rutson's names were both mentioned, and most recently, Taylor Tomasi Hill was fingered as a possibility.

Although the first two have said they're not taking the job — Tomasi Hill has not commented thus far — Barneys has not addressed any of the rumors, until this evening, when the retailer released the following statement: "As announced by Barneys New York on November 29th, the search for a new fashion director was launched by Daniella Vitale, chief merchant and executive vice president, who joined the company on December 1st. Contrary to recent speculative reports, no employment offer has been made as of this date to any person for the fashion director position."

>> Earlier today, it was thought that Lane Crawford's fashion director Sarah Rutson and Vogue's Virginia Smith were in the running to succeed Julie Gilhart as Barneys fashion director; however, it was also rumored that Smith turned down the job. Smith has now confirmed that she has no intention of leaving Vogue. As for Rutson, she declined to comment on whether she is a candidate. [WWD]

• Kim Kardashian tells time with new watch collection — People
• Kate Moss gives Cheryl Cole advice — Vogue UK
• Ashley Olsen is pretty in pink — Teen Vogue
• Virginia Smith may become the new women's fashion director of Barneys — The Cut
• Look of the day: Reese Witherspoon — Stylelist
• Nina's "Shostopper" booties are a disco for your feet — Lucky
• Kirsten Dunst in Valentino at the All Good Things premiere in New York City — Red Carpet Fashion Awards
• André Leon Talley on Diddy-DirtyMoney's Last Train to Paris — Vogue Daily
• Michael Kors iPad cases — Bag Snob
• Hands-free hauling: this season's hautest cross-body bags — Racked

>> It sounds like Barneys is searching for a fashion director replacement for Julie Gilhart, after all. The two top contenders CEO Mark Lee is said to be eyeing? Sarah Rutson, Lane Crawford's fashion director in Hong Kong, or Vogue's fashion market/accessories director Virginia Smith.

Rutson could not be reached for comment, and Smith forwarded calls to Vogue's press office, which declined comment; although, word is going around that Smith has turned down the job. If Smith does end up taking the position, however, Fashionista's Lauren Sherman points out that she will follow in a line of departures from the top of Vogue's masthead after Sally Singer and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff: "More than anything, it’s another indication that Anna Wintour’s time as editor-in-chief might be coming to an end sooner than later. As one person told me, 'It’s like she’s strategically placing all of her top people so that they’re better off when she’s gone.'"

As for Barneys' take on the Smith and Rutson candidate reports, a spokeswoman replied: “The search has begun and is ongoing. We intend to meet many candidates but no decisions have been made.” And while Simon Doonan remains in place at the retailer, his current contract reportedly expires in May 2011; the spokeswoman declined comment on that.

>> The rest of the 1,500 general sale tickets to the Fashion's Night Out fashion show sold out yesterday within four hours — although Lincoln Center's ticket office says more may become available before the show, and interested parties should call to inquire. Otherwise, the show is also set to be livestreamed.

A few more details about the fashion show have popped up — Tabitha Simmons and Edward Enninful are handling styling duties, and it will be focused on seven trends: Global Traveler, Rocker Girl, Roaring Twenties, Clean Chic, Fifties Era, and Country Weekend. CBS has also starting posting sneak peeks of the filming for their Fashion's Night Out television special — in one, during a planning meeting for the fashion show, Virginia Smith says, "We wanted to get across this idea of fashion coming from the streets of New York, so every trend is given a geographical location." As she says this, a slide pops up portraying the feathers trend paired with the Bronx Zoo.

Speaking of feathers, Anna Wintour, addressing retail executives at another meeting, poses the question with a smile: "Do feathers sell? Is that why they're back two seasons later?"

That and more, in the video clips »

>> Vogue Cover Possibility for Rachel McAdams? — Is an upcoming Vogue cover — perhaps the January 2010 cover — in order for Rachel McAdams?  She sat next to Anna Wintour at Alexander Wang today, then between Sally Singer and Virginia Smith at Altuzarra before heading to Boy/Band of Outsiders.  Her next big movie, Sherlock Holmes, comes out Dec. 25, so a January 2010 cover would be right if it's in the cards . . .  

The New York Topshop flagship opens on Thursday and today, WWD has an inside look at the new store.

Opening Ceremony, which recently launched an e-commerce site, has announced the opening of multiple Japan flagships.

The Gap will launch its first signature scent called Close, at the end of April. 

Wife of The Gap's Patrick Robinson, Virginia Smith, edits a Vogue.com list of Fall 2009's best investments. 

>> Milan is not good to Andre Leon Talley.  Two years ago, his luggage was lost for three days during Milan Fashion Week, and he was stuck wearing the same blue Patent Miu Miu coat and velour track pants to the shows. Fast forward to today, and it's the same deal with Milan Fashion Week.  His luggage was lost, and he had to wear the same Juicy Couture shorts and gray Ralph Lauren polo shirt to D&G this morning that he wore on the plane.

But ALT isn't the only one having issues with Milan: A Continental flight out of Newark filled with a bevy of editors — Vogue’s fashion market and accessories director Virginia Smith and senior accessories editor Filipa Fino, W’s fashion director Alex White, and New York magazine’s fashion director Harriet Mays Powell — experienced engine failure and was rerouted to Maine last night.  They all made it safely back to Newark, but most are still looking for a new flight to Milan . . .
*image: source