Paris-based fashion house Christian LaCroix has settled on a location for its first store in New York, leasing a 2,700-square-foot space at 36 E. 57th St. The two-story location, which will serve as the designer’s flagship store, has 1,900 feet on the first floor, a 900-foot second level that can serve as a mezzanine, and another 500 feet in the basement. The site was previously occupied by the flagship for Oxford Clothes, the Chicago-based maker of men’s tailored clothing, which moved to 717 Fifth Avenue.

Kathleen Woodside and Izabel Duval the designers behind the contemporary women’s clothing line, bellekat inc. “We both have some of the most insane jeans,” says Woodside, “but we couldn’t find any fresh tops to wear with them.”

Kathleen and Izabel met while in Paris for Premiere Vision over 10 years ago. A friendship was quickly formed over Kir Royals at the Hotel Costes, as the two shared stories of their career and life experiences. Over the years their friendship remained strong, and with over 25 years of combined experience in the fashion industry, they decided to follow a shared dream. They combined their style, vision, talent and their names to form their own company. And so bellekat was born.

At bellekat, the two share equal design and creative responsibilities. Their focus is on fabrication first. The prints, applied to the most exquisite Japanese fabrics, are created from hand paintings instead of using computer generated images. Each garment is like a piece of art. The collection is saturated with a vintage taste; timeless… in a chic way. Made of ultra high count cotton yarn, the solid fabrics are treated with denim driven embellishments such as thick stitched embroidery and smocking.

Woodside and Duval chose to focus on soft swag silhouettes and sophisticated trapeze-like shapes. The flirty, flowy tops,dresses and skirts are ideal to wear with a pair of jeans.

The bellekat woman takes after both designers. “We are our target market. The bellekat woman is modern, chic, sophisticated and ultra feminine, and style is a part of who she is,” says Duval. She’s passionate about all elements of her life, from her friends & family, to her home. “She is sexy and soft while strong and original.” “This line is designed for women like us,” says Woodside, “The 25-45 year old who loves wearing denim, but looks for unique and well -made pieces to compliment her favorite jeans.”

Prada is going wireless. The Italian fashion and accessories house has partnered with South Korea-based LG Electronics to develop an iconic mobile phone to be released in early 2007. The initial launch is planned for distribution starting in Europe—first in Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—followed by Asian locations such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. The Korean version of the phone is scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2007. “As we do with ready-to-wear and accessories, we were looking at a break-through,” said Patrizio Bertelli, president & CEO of Prada. “Consistently with our approach, we are not branding an existing product; rather, Miuccia and I have been working with LG to give this new phone a very strong character and unique style, both in its contents and in its design.”

Added Mun-Hwa Park, President & CEO of LG Electronics: “Prada’s legacy for classic and sophisticated design meant they were the perfect partner to develop this shared vision of innovative technology and ultimate style.”

Dior Homme Creative Director Hedi Slimane is reputedly in contract negotiations with the brand. Apparently pressure is building up to conclude the talks, and relations between the negotiating parties are tense. Slimane’s failure to attend recent festivities for St. Catherine’s Day, a tradition in honor of couture workers, was looked on dimly by Dior management, WWD said. The Dior Homme AW07 show will take place in Paris on 30 January, 2007.

“Paul Smith is delighted to be hosting an exhibition of the work of celebrated Japanese artist Keiichi Tanaami. Born in 1936, Tanaami’s creative work in painting, illustration and graphic design first came to the fore in the 1960s when his vibrant, colourful and psychedelic designs adorned publications as esteemed as ‘Studio Voice’ and ‘Oz’. Tanaami’s work has since been the subject of a host of exhibitions around the world.

Tanaami’s distinct style – including trademark motif’s of goldfish, pine trees and waves – is highly respected by young contemporary artists in Japan and as a result Tanaami has worked consistently since the 1960s.

Paul Smith will be exhibiting sixteen of Tanaami’s hand silk-screened prints at his Mayfair shop. Entitled ‘Kamon’, this new set of work is inspired by family crests and epitomizes Tanaami’s high-colour, ‘Pop Art’ style.”

Paul Smith

Martin Yat Ming takes RMC jeans into unchartered waters. The Yoropiko denim collection is like nothing anyone has even imagined before. The designs are breath-taking and the quality is unrivalled. RMC by Martin Ksohoh is denim for the next generation and marks an epoch in fashion history.

Victoria Beckham is reputedly threatening to sue Rock & Republic Jeans, the brand she apparently helped build and for which she designed a number of styles. A source quoted by the Sunday Mirror said: “Victoria Beckham’s lawyers and accountants believe the range to have been far more successful than anyone imagined and Victoria is owed tens of millions of pounds.”

This is all interesting stuff since Queen Liz II was reputedly considering suing Posh for nicking her Royal emblem and sticking it on the butt of her Rock & Republic Jeans. No doubt this combative chatter will all soon die down and Victoria Beckham can focus on her new fashion venture DVB.

Skull Jeans is the brain-child of the internationally renowned designer Hiroshi Yamazaki. Yamazaki’s reputation was built on exclusive brands such as Fab Four, named after the Beatles his lifelong heroes and Alchemist, a fashion brand established upon the idea of Alchemy in which base metals turn into gold — and therefore true fashion has an equal capacity to turn into wealth. Alchemist subsequently evolved into the Skull Jeans brand. The designs are simple, uncompromising and are designed to last.

Introduced by Paul Cook, former drummer of punk act The Sex Pistols, and sporting a brown T-shirt emblazoned “Gio-Goi,” rocker Pete Doherty made his debut as the new face of the new label.

The 27-year-old Babyshambles frontman and reported fiancée of supermodel Kate Moss was showcasing clothes he inspired for Gio-Goi’s rock’n’roll spring/summer 2007 collection at a gig in the car park of the Selfridges department store in London.

Karl Lagerfeld reputedly will soon be launching his own denim line, imaginatively entitled K; not to be confused with Special K. Parent company, Tommy Hilfiger, intends to capitalise on the global power of Lagerfeld’s name and enviable reputation by creating a stylish demi-high fashion denim collection.

Martin Yat Ming, the man behind RMC Jeans, is creating a capsule collection of ultra-exclusive selvedge denim jeans, called Yoropiko, in collaboration with Santastic. The Yoropiko capsule collection includes Martin’s unrivalled trademark embroidery and Santastic’s incredible design vision. Initial styles are rumoured to be available early 2007 through a select number of exclusive stores. Kitmeout will receive a list of official outlets very soon.

One of Japan’s oldest, most respected and tastefully under-stated designer brands finally arrives on European shores. For decades KU has been a closely guarded Japanese secret. The brand has almost mythical status in The East. The KU style is meditative, cool and refined. The brand’s low profile has meant very few people in Europe have seen the unique and innovative style… Well, no longer, KU menswear is destined to be a massive hit across Europe in 2007! Take a butchers – you’ve not seen anything like this before!

Puma is making a bid for the luxury market with its latest design collaboration. The German activewear company has teamed with Schedoni, the Italian leather manufacturer best known for designing custom-made luggage for Ferrari, to create a line of bespoke leather sneakers.

The range, which also includes bags, is the result of a collaboration with Schedoni, the Italian leather manufacturer that also makes custom-made luggage for Ferrari. “Ninety percent of sports products are made in the Far East now,” Christian Weisender, international sales manager for Puma, said during the launch of Puma by Schedoni. “Now was the right time to go back to our roots. It’s the first customized sneaker to be made with an Italian manufacturer.”

Puma plans to install leather work stations resembling travelling trunks that pop up in 50 stores worldwide. They will be introduced in all Puma Black stores and in selected high-end department stores, such as Harrods in London . The work stations will allow customers to choose their own colour combinations from a selection of the manufacturer’s suede and naturally tanned leather skins. Once a selection has been made, the production process takes four weeks. The finished product is delivered to the customer complete with a number and a signed certificate from the artisan who made it. Adding to the exclusiveness of the sneaker, a maximum of 500 shoes per colour combination can be made. Consumers will have to be prepared to pay the price though. Prices start at €450 for a pair of suede and leather shoes and run up to €750 for a pair of high-tops made of fire-proof leather. Bags will retail for between €950 and €1200.

Incredibly rare vintage levi jeans are now available from Togged.

The styles include:1955 Levi 501 relaxed fit, dry selvedge denim jeans. 1947 Levi 501 relaxed fit, dry selvedge XX blue denim jeans. 1933 Levi 501 relaxed fit, Road Rash denim jeans. 1933 Levi 501 relaxed fit, dry selvedge denim jeans. 1933 Levi 501 loose fit, Limited Edition Tow Rope selvedge denim jeans and 1933 Levi 501 relaxed fit, dry selvedge XX blue denim jeans.

These Levis are for true denim connoisseurs! BUY HERE

Nicole Richie has topped the world’s worst-dressed list according to PETA, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals charity, for wearing too much fur. It’s that time of year again, when it starts to get a little bit colder and you can spot a select few of Hollywood’s trashiest celebrities strutting around with dead animals strapped to their backs.

PETA’s Official 2006 ‘Worst Dressed’ List:

Nicole Richie: PETA’s conclusion: “This pelt-wearing party girl is all animal skin and bones. She’s an incredible shrinking woman with the heart to match.”

Ashley Olsen: PETA’s conclusion: “Wearing fur does add 20 pounds, but if Ashley wants to fill out her frame, we suggest using a fork instead.”

Christina Ricci: PETA’s conclusion: “Disregarding the holiday season’s “Peace on Earth” message, Ricci recently posed for a magazine cover wearing fur from slaughtered reindeer. At least she’s not into fur hats: Imagine how many more pelts it would take to cover that forehead.”

Eva Longoria: PETA’s conclusion: “You’d think she’d be more sympathetic to the plight of rabbits considering the way she screws around like one on Wisteria Lane.”

Notable absences from the list are Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, both of whom have made some attempts to ditch the fur from their wardrobes this year—so here’s hoping they remember their resolution.

Tommy Hilfiger Group announced today that it has signed Thierry Henry, one of the world’s most successful and iconic sportsmen, to be an international brand ambassador in an endorsement agreement for Tommy Hilfiger men’s formal and underwear. Thierry Henry will feature in dedicated Tommy Hilfiger advertising and marketing campaigns in both Spring and Fall ‘07. The agreement also includes the design and production of a limited edition capsule collection by Tommy Hilfiger, which will be inspired by the signature style of Thierry Henry.  It will also see Tommy Hilfiger become a sponsor of Thierry’s new charity, “THe One 4 All Foundation”.

“Thierry Henry embodies a unique sense of modern style which is integral to my design philosophy,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “He is arguably the greatest player in the world’s most popular sport. Anyone who has seen him play will relate to the apparent grace he shows as he glides past opponents. Moreover, his commitment to social causes off the field is very inspiring and complementary to the current work and value of my Corporate Foundation.”

“I am delighted to be partnering with Tommy Hilfiger,” said Thierry Henry. “As an individual my fashion taste is classic, but with a modern twist. I really love the fresh, clean aesthetic and unique detailing that characterizes Tommy Hilfiger as a designer and am especially delighted that he will be one of the sponsors supporting my Foundation.”

An exciting British based, British designed Premium denim label. Pieces in the collection include Japanese Red Selvedge denim, organic cotton T-shirts and Scottish Cashmere sweaters. You will know Invisible Inc from its distinctive logo, which is the signature of the designer Punky (translated from Sanskrit to English his name Pankaj means Lotus Flower). The Lotus Flower, which is regarded as sacred in Egypt, India, China and Tibet, is also used in Yoga to symbolise the Chakra. The chakras are invisible centres of spiritual power in the human body. This has been the inspiration for Invisible Inc, a concept that not only is visual but also concentrates on the “Invisible” aspects of fashion such as the feel.

Based on the 5’000 year old system of mind/body medicine known as Ayurveda, our denims are named after the body types (Dosha), with slim fit being Vata, medium fit being Pitta and loose fit being Kapha. Invisible Inc is a premium clothing label for the enlightened as we believe fashion goes beyond looks, but affects us on many levels. Check out our collection of Skinny (Vata) and Straight fit (Pitta) raw Japanese Selvedge denim, and Organic Cotton T-shirts launching into Selfridges, Oxford Street in the LA Denim Dept.

Katherine E Hamnett environmentally progressive fashion continues to excite critics and consumers alike. The current collection includes an incredible collaboration with Knitwear Kings, John Smedley:

“80’s re-issue original slogan t-shirts; WORLDWIDE NUCLEAR BAN NOW, CHOOSE LIFE, CLEAN UP OR DIE, and new slogans, LOVE and BRING BACK GOD.

Probably the best t-shirts in the world. Made in ethically certified factories in India, printed in the UK to Soil Association standards, luxury, super-soft and super-fine, 100% organic cotton. Available in a range of cool colours.

More product arriving in February 2007; dresses, shirts, skirts, men’s macs, trousers and jackets, Katharine E Hamnett/John Smedley organic cotton knitwear, and ethically and environmentally mined and conflict-free gold and diamond jewellery.”

Levi Strauss & Co. announced it has joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact. In a letter to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, LS&CO. chief executive officer Phil Marineau pledged the company’s support for the Global Compact’s 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labor rights, protection of the environment and anti-corruption.

“Our participation in the Global Compact is a natural extension of the corporate citizenship work we have been committed to for decades,” Marineau said. “We look forward to engaging with companies from around the world to advance the Compact’s vision of a more sustainable and inclusive global economy.”

“We are delighted to welcome Levi Strauss and Co. into the Global Compact,” said Georg Kell, executive director, UN Global Compact. “As the first multinational company to adopt an international code for labor standards, LS&CO. is a pioneer in the area of corporate responsibility. The Compact will give LS&CO. a platform to further its good work and to share best practices with participants who may be newer to the field.”