season five

gemma ward to quit modeling?

According to the Daily Telegraph model Gemma Ward has quit modeling. Weight gain is sighted for the reason - although it is not clear which of these events happened first. Gemma has walked shows for Dior, Prada, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and has represented YSL, Prada, Balenciaga, Lanvin, Hermès, Bulgari, Dior, Jil Sander, Versace and more in ad campaigns. I find it shocking that someone with such an arresting beautiful face and amazing resume would come under such scrutiny. She is 22! Mama's don't let your babies grow up to be models. (via Stylist).

new breast cancer ad uses "male lechery" for good

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and "Save the Boobs," a new public service announcement from the Rethink Breast Cancer charity, taps into the same secret sauce successfully used by many beer, sports and music marketers: babes and boobs. The PSA features a busty young women walking into a pool party scene in a tiny white bikini to the soundtrack of sexy music. Throughout the camera stares, sometimes in slow motion, at the woman's massive assets. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in young women ages 25 to 49," says the text. I think its safe to assume male viewers stuck around long enough to get that message - success! The LA Times says this ad represents one of the few occasions when the male tendency to objectify the female body is put to good use. What do you think? Check out the video above or here.

london underground toasts fashion week

This season it's the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week and the city is celebrating. To mark the occasion Elle UK asked 25 of the hottest London designers, models and artists to design a poster for the London Underground. Contributors include Naomi Campbell, Matthew Williamson, Rupert Sanderson and make up artist Pat McGrath (her poster, my favorite,  is featured here). To see all the posters visit the Elle website.

kate moss is parisienne by YSL

Kate Moss is featured in both the print and commercial ad campaign for Yves Saint Laurent’s scent Parisienne.  The fragrance is described as being “floral-woody” and targeted towards 30-something  women who want a little taste of Paris. Check out the commercial above or here.  (via RDuJour)

dockers "fancy pants" radio spot

Have you heard the Macy's Dockers radio ad which suggests some men can't "get to second" (date that is)  because they wear designer jeans that match their dates?  The ad claims "fancy jeans make men look like girls." Obviously they were going for edgy but I think they missed it by a long shot. It's basically the ad equivalent of calling designer-jean-wearing-men "girlie men". And why run this spot in San Francisco on 99.7 (arguably the city's gayest station)? Hmm.. I wonder how it is working for them.

the films of guy bourdin

The Bon Marché in Paris will showcase never-before-seen film footage by the late Guy Bourdin, one of the best known fashion and advertising photographers of the 20th Century. At once celebrated and highly controversial because they contained violence, death, sexuality and surrealism, Boudin's images were used in campaigns for Chanel, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and many other. “Guy Bourdin, ses films,” revisits the artist's short films produced between the Sixties and Eighties. The clips  will be projected on floating screens in darkrooms, mimicking the surrealism  From September 18 until October 29. (via WWD and Guy Bourdin)

lanvin's feline fall campaign

I love this beautiful Lanvin campaign featuring model Kristen McMenamy flanked by black cats. Refinery29 showcases eight more of this season's devastatingly hot" fashion campaigns here.

justin timberlake for givenchy

Justin Timberlake's ads for Givenchy debut in the September books. I think these ads fit well for Givenchy's Play fragrance. I also think JT gets better with age. His interview with September Elle is mild at best - he has found success in music, fashion, movies and love. Sure, its a bit ho hum - but nice too. I can't help but root for the guy (not that he needs it).

friday links

Diane von Furstenberg embodies sexy and self assurance in this interview with Gloria Vanderbilt.

Style.com issued its Fall 2009 Trend Reports this week: biker, boudoir, forties, eighties, feminine ruching or investment pieces. Pick your poison. Watch the slideshow here.

This is interesting and inspiring.  Sheena Matheiken of The Uniform Project wears the same dress every day and reinvents it with layers, hats, tights and shoes. She takes donations — and gives $1 per outfit of her own money — for the Akanksha Foundation, which helps educate underprivileged children in India. Check out her blog here. (via Iconoculture).

Elie Tahari will launch a free iPhone app next month to create an "efficient, green and profitable platform for the future." I'm surprised there aren't more. In any case, soon this won't be news. (via WWD).

AOL Radio listeners rank the top ten 80's songs - Journey wins! Get the list here.

Colette's "Happy Broadcast" has arrived. Listen to it here.

John and Steve are having a baby! Is there a catch? I'm not certain. But this website is about two gay daddies trying for a baby is very, very funny.

the secret design history of twelve famous brands

Is it me or is Fast Company getting more entertaining? The magazine recently asked graphic designers, published authors and bloggers Armin Vit and Bryony Gomez-Palacio to dig out the 12 juiciest stories about some of the best known brands like Coca-Cola, MTV and Tiffany & Co. This is a fascinating read! Check out the slideshow here.