Net-a-Porter's end-of-season sale started this week, and we're starting off our shopping spree in the shoe department. There are styles here that we've been lusting after all season but didn't have the heart (or wallet) to buy. Now at 30, 40, and 50 percent off retail, we're finding it a little bit easier to take the plunge. Jimmy Choo, we're looking at you.
Gwyneth Paltrow is Vogue UK's May cover girl, photographed by Mario Testino.
Natalie Massenet initially wanted to name her Net-a-Porter website What's New Pussycat.
Kate Moss's Vogue Hommes issue is out.
Stella McCartney returns to the pineapple print for her Adidas collection.
Glamour UK's best- and worst-dressed list, voted on by the public, includes Alexa Chung, Blake Lively, and Kate Moss at the top, while Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Lindsay Lohan hit the bottom.
Hugo Boss launches a revamped website with e-commerce today.
>> Confirming reports from a couple of weeks ago, luxury conglomerate Richemont (parent of brands like Chloe and Cartier) is acquiring Net-a-Porter in a £350 million (approx. $533 million) deal.
Natalie Massenet, who founded Net-a-Porter in 2000, is estimated to pocket £50 million (approx. $76 million) with the sale of her 18 percent stake in the company. She is expected to stay on as executive chairman of the company after Richemont's takeover and is reportedly preparing to invest £15 million of the sale proceeds back into Net-a-Porter. Mark Sebba, Net-a-Porter's chief executive, is also said to be staying on.
>> French heritage houses like Nina Ricci and Vionnet have both been reinvented in the last couple of years with a more contemporary approach; now, add Carven to the trend.
Founded in Paris by couturier Madame Carmen de Tommaso in 1945, Carven was originally launched for petite women. Two seasons ago, former Givenchy designer Guillaume Henry was tasked with kickstarting the label again, and judging by the reception, he's succeeded.
Last night, Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet feted Henry in London, where she gushed: "The clothes . . . Not only did we love them — the Parisian street attitude really struck a bell with us — but we just couldn't believe the amazing prices. Does this guy look like a young Saint Laurent or what? . . . These clothes are going to change your life. I'm really looking forward to watching this man blossom and to seeing what he becomes in 20 years time."
Designer Guillaume Henry is making a big impact as the creative director of Carven. He relaunched the 1950s couture house as a ready-to-wear business only two seasons ago, and already Net-a-Porter's Natalie Massenet is calling the collection "clothes that are going to change your life." Massenet feted the designer in London last night — celebrating his high Parisian style and Carven's incredible price points. Above are a few of our favorite looks from the current lineup.
>> Net-a-Porter Said to Be Acquired by Richemont —Earlier this year, it was Prada that luxury conglomerate and Cartier and Chloe owner Richemont was said to have its eye on, but for now, Net-a-Porter will have to do, instead. In a deal expected to be completed this week, Richemont will acquire the remaining 70 percent of Net-a-Porter it doesn't already own, including founder Natalie Massenet's 18 percent stake (worth at least $76 million). This move is especially notable considering that LVMH shuttered its e-commerce branch eLuxury.com just last year. [Telegraph UK, Fashionista]
You've probably already heard of — and already signed up for — Net-a-Porter's $40,000 shopping spree to celebrate its one millionth order. We certainly have. But have you fantasized about what you would buy? I can rarely afford NAP, but it is one of the best online shopping destinations. And $40,000 is a hefty amount! Can you imagine picking out your goodies? I can. I went straight for shoes, bags, jackets, and jewelry, and found myself hovering at $20,000, amazed at my new loves. Then I continued to salivate, and threw in some long-time fascinations (Alexander McQueen's skull scarf, classic black Loub pumps, Missoni bikini). My total came to $39,970 — $30 to spare. I'm spent. Wish me luck!
Alber Elbaz art directs Vogue Brazil's December '09 issue.
Anna Dello Russo travels with 90 outfits for Fashion Week. Here are some highlights.
V Magazine to devote January issue to plus-size models.
Alexander Wang adds gift-worthy items to his website, starting today.
Lily Cole and Lily Allen get in-touch with their inner design talents to support Elton John's AIDS foundation.
Naomi Campbell will act as guest editor for one of the Spring issues of Vogue Russia.
Heidi Klum, Rachel Zoe, and Amber Valletta fete Roland Mouret's new Net-a-Porter collection.
>> Isabel Marant To Be Available Online for First Time, The Row Sunglasses In Stores Soon —Isabel Marant is opening her first US outpost in Manhattan this February, but there's good news even if you're not in the area: despite the fact that Marant has kept her wares off the Internet, word is Net-a-Porter will be stocking her Spring 2010 collection. And in light of things being available, sounds like Barneys has an exclusive on The Row sunglasses, and will start stocking them sometime between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. [@KatherinePower, Racked]
Victoria Beckham's denim line launched today on Net-a-Porter with a tiny little Mrs. Beckham prancing on to the online retailer's homepage and pointing us towards her collection video featuring ballerinas dancing in jeans and metallic jersey tanks. The first four denim styles available are unsurprisingly very skinny and include one pair of denim leggings. The jeans themselves look great—subtle washes with silver zippers or studs as detail—while a reversible metallic cardigan
looks best when worn backwards.
