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Girls on Film: Gisele Bundchen, Elle, December

FabSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:00:22 -0800

Gisele is magic. Anything she touches turns to gold. In Elle's December issue, the supermodel turns the volume way up for the "Paradise City" editorial. If you think you've seen Gisele looking her steamiest, think again. Drop-crotch pants, jumpsuits, cropped tees, studded denim vests - you name it, she works it to perfection. And her intense facial expressions? Let's just say I would shiver if she looked at me that way! Side note: I wonder if they played Guns 'n Roses songs during the photo shoot?

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Fab Site: Elle.com Fall A to Zee

FabSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:00:22 -0700

If my 10 Fall Essentials are not enough to curb your voracious fashion appetite, then also check out Elle creative director Joe Zee's Fall A to Zee list. It features over 72 shoes, handbags, jackets, and more. A is for architectural shapes; B is for Bold statement jewelry; C is for Cool Britannia. You get the picture. There's tons of eye candy so go experience it for yourself.

Ready or Not, Here Stylista Comes . . .

FabSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:00:22 -0700

If you haven't already, be sure to watch the first look at Stylista, a new reality show by the CW network debuting Oct. 29. According to the creators, if The Devil Wears Prada were a reality show, it would be Stylista. And Elle's fashion news director Anne Slowely would be Miranda Priestly. At the 2008 Summer TCA Tour, the creators, producers, and cast sat down to talk about the show. Here what Anne had to say.

Oh, and just to give you a sense of her feisty personality, one of the moderators messed up the introductions of the cast, prompting Anne to say, "Don't try to try out for the show." Ouch!

How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you or doesn't know of you?

A girl from Indiana who got really lucky and has worked very, very hard and has had an opportunity to see the best that the world has had to offer. I mean, my life is a bit of a fantasy, but the hard work keeps it real. As I said before, I love what I do. I feel very lucky and privileged, but I'm also very picky. I've had the privilege to become very centric and very picky.

Do you see yourself as more Miranda Priestly or more Donald Trump, or exactly how do you envision yourself in this role?

Just myself or maybe Lucy from Peanuts, "The doctor is in." No, I actually tried watching that movie (The Devil Wears Prada) with my mother who is 85, and she was like, "I don't get this. Take it off." I was like, "But, Mom, that's my life." She's like, "I don't understand it," so I actually haven't watched the movie. I'm just being myself, you know.

To hear about Anne, read more.

Watching that movie, because obviously Meryl Streep was playing that in an elevated way, did you see certain things reflected in her that you kind of really hoped were not you? Did it give you any moments of self-reflection?

I only watched about 15 minutes of it, but no. I'm not a caricature. I'm not a character. I've worked in this business for 20 years. I feel very passionate about what I do. I've sacrificed a lot to do it. I fought very, very hard. I worked very, very hard. I care deeply about the people who work for me. I will give them everything. I ask a lot. I'm very demanding. We live in a very rarefied world, so I think it's really easy to think that we are sort of shallow aesthetes, but we're not. We're very smart. We work very hard. I do over-complicate things. I have five planets in Virgo. I get very particular about my coffee. I have trained staff in hotels in Paris and Milan to get it right. You put the cold milk in first, you don't put the hot espresso next with the ice. People think I'm a little nuts, but I like things the way I like them.

How would you change the fashion industry?

I'd make it cheaper so more people could buy more stuff. I wouldn't change a thing. It's evolved over the years. Not too long ago there wasn't even such a thing as pret-a-porter. It was all couture, and that really came after World War II. It's become very corporate. Perhaps what I would do is I would wish that these giant companies might channel more money into schools for people, young designers and give them a chance. Honestly, that's what keeps the industry going.

What exactly does a fashion news director do?

I go to the shows. It's grueling, you know. You're working from 9 in the morning to 2 in the morning. Basically, sitting, getting backaches in chairs, watching a lot of not great fashion and then every now and then you have a brilliant moment. And then I distill the trends. I conceptualize stories for the reader, for the Elle reader specifically, who's very . . . you know, we don't look down on fashion at all. It is really personal. It's all about personal style. I like to have a lot of fun with it. If you read the stories that I edit and write, we usually try to have a sense of humor about it. It's sort of like "Adventures in Fashion Land."

I have moments I just look around me, and I'm at dinner with Karl Lagerfeld and all of his fancy friends, and I'm just like, "How did I get here?" But then, you're there for work, so I've got to get back to business.

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Behind the Seams: Ports 1961 and Elle "Shop Your Closet" Launch Party

FabSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:00:22 -0700

You may be curious to know what Nicky Hilton wore to the Ports 1961 and Elle Shop Your Closet book launch party. I know I was. A $1,795 Ports 1961 layered lace dress that by the end of the night morphed into a one-shoulder frock. Lake Bell was also in attendance at the Ports boutique in LA, as was actress Leven Rambin. The night consisted of shopping (duh), sipping on white wine, and reading up on Shop Your Closet: The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Closet With Style by Melanie Charlton Fascitelli ($14). I won't give away much else. Step inside for the fun.

To see more from the party, read more

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FABTV: A First Look at Stylista

FabSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:00:22 -0700

Fashion TV fans get ready for another addictive show: The CW's Stylista. Brought to you by Tyra Banks, and ELLE magazine's Joe Zee and Anne Slowey, this reality show will reveal a day in the life with the real Devil Wears Prada. Here's a first glimpse as the office peons prepare breakfast for the statuesque blonde ELLE fashion news editor. It's a bit tongue in cheek as we see the teetering editor strut through the office wearing Yves Saint Laurent's oversized star necklace. The best bit? After she makes her announcement to the fashion wannabees and the trays start a shakin'. Cute, but devilish indeed.

Fab Flash: Nina Garcia Still Has Decisions to Make

FabSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:06:38 -0700

The future is still unsteady for Nina Garcia.

Garcia was set to continue season 5 of Project Runway while finishing her contributing editor position with Elle. She was planning on continuing alliances with the show through Marie Claire after her departure from her former employer. The reports have now been declared inaccurate by a spokesman from The Weinstein Co., stating that Garcia and Michael Kors are still in the midst of contract negotiations with the show for season 5 and 6. Garcia is also negotiating the terms on her relationship, or lack thereof, with Elle's owner, Filipacchi Media.

Whew! Are we all over all this Garcia back and forth?

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Fab Flash: Elle Magazine Editors to Guest Star on Ugly Betty

FabSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:00:22 -0700

Just as former Elle fashion director Nina Garcia prepares for a guest appearance this Thursday on Ugly Betty, the announcement comes that more Elle editors are joining in on the ugly fun.

Elle Editor in Chief Robbie Myers and creative director Joe Zee will appear on the season finale of the show, which features a charity softball game between Elle and the fictitious Mode magazine. Myers and Zee will both be up to bat on the episode, wearing the uniform at left, and Naomi Campbell is set to play Elle's designated hitter. Sounds like the season is going to wrap with a home run!

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Update! Nina Garcia's Departure from Elle

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:45:06 -0700

I told you I would keep you updated on the Nina Garcia/Elle drama so here it goes.

The latest word is that the magazine has offered Nina a temporary - around six months - contributing editor's role, long enough for her to appear on Season Five of Project Runway. She has yet to accept the offer or comment on the recent ongoings. The show's producer, The Weinstein Co., is currently in talks to bring Nina, Michael Kors, Elle, and other partners back for a sixth season. It remains to be seen if the show would rehire Nina if the magazine is still involved and she is no longer employed there. Interesting stuff, but what I really want to know is where Nina will be headed next?!
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This Just In! Nina Garcia Breaks Up With Elle Magazine?

FabSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:19:49 -0700

What? Can this be true? It is being said that Nina Garcia, fashion director of Elle, may have parted ways with the magazine. Rumors began brewing when Joe Zee was hired as creative director at the beginning of 2007, but speculations heated up even more when Nina was missing from an Elle-hosted event celebrating Simon Doonan's new book, Eccentric Glamor: Creating an Insanely More Fashionable You on Tuesday. Nina has yet to comment on the story but what a bummer if it's true. I'll keep you posted . . .

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FABTV: Elle Styles Madonna

FabSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:00:22 -0700

We're so stoked to see Madonna back in action. Her music has been in heavy rotation in our Sugar offices and we're eagerly awaiting the new release of her Hard Candy album. We got our fingers on this absolutely Fab behind the seams video of Madonna's styling photo shoot with Elle magazine. This exclusive backstage access (with her much anticipated "4 minutes" collab with Justin Timberlake pumping in the background), shows Madge strutting her stuff. It's quick and flashy and commentated by stylist Arianne Phillips.

Madonna is definitely having fun in the video showing off her much coveted trim body and that adorable gap in between her teeth. Oh, and the glimpse of the plethora of shoes is amazing. Madonna continues to be one of the biggest style icons and time has shown that she's nowhere near near slowing down. Rock on.