Diesel Stakes out Viktor and Rolf

Dutch designing dream team Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren were recently bought into by owner/founder of Diesel and OTB (Only The Brave), Renzo Rosso.

This announcement came just after Viktor and Rolf showed an extravagant dollhouse display in London's Barbican Art Gallery, proving once again that their 16 year old label can bring couture and art together into a delicious medley, time after time.

Rosso is no foreigner to major fashion acquisitions, as he bought a large part of Belgian fashion house Maison Martin Margiela in 2002, whose sales lept by 50% after this purchase. To this note, Snoeren notes to WWD, "[Rosso] has shown with Margiela what he can do. The business has grown substantially and he kept the DNA of the brand. It's a win-win situation."

Snoeren adds, "We want to develop our fashion house to its full potential. We admire Renzo Rosso's unconventional nature and the success it has brought him. We decided to join forces with him because his motto 'Only The Brave' appeals to us. True creation requires courage."

Stylus Canada's Danielle Doucette Rocks Music Video

We are pleased to announce the release of recording artist Massari’s new music video for his track “In Love Again”. Featured in this hot new video is Stylus’ own supermodel Danielle Doucette. In the video Dani plays an ex love interest turned secret agent traitor. After a grueling shooting schedule, a few bumps and bruises, Dani rocked the video and we are so proud of her and her current success. Congratulations Dani!

Patrick Dempsey Redefines the Man

He's done it again! Patrick Dempsey has won over yet another female following; the Grey's Anatomy star recently teamed up with Avon in order to release a men's cologne, Unscripted. Dempsey fans everywhere will be pre-ordering this Avon scent in order to have there own little whiff of the star all to themselves. Patrick teamed up with Avon partly due to the success his wife, Jillian, has had working for them developing as their global creative colour director. What does McDreamy really smell like? Unscripted is said to be a fresh woody scent developed by Yves Cassar and Pascal Guarin. This signature fragrance includes notes of cardamon, black peppercorn, fig, lavender, leatherwood, patchouli, vetiver and musk. The cost of smelling like this classic heartthrob? Only $32. This venture features the tag line "Follow Your Passion" and we can be sure that women and even men everywhere will be passionate about the Dempsey scent this November.

Watch an ET interview with the star as he talks about this latest project.

Rumour Mill: Pucci to Change Print.

The vibrant graphic patterns of a Pucci print are famous in the world of fashion. This unmistakable print which has adorned everything from evening gowns to ready to wear and home décor (and let's not forget, diaper cases!) may be changing. Rumours have surfaced that the print will be redesigned. The Emilio Pucci label gained mainstream momentum when former designer Christian Lacroix dived into the Pucci vault, pulling vintage prints and walking them down the runway once more. Furthermore, paparazzi favourite Nicole Richie was photographed in the unique designs and helped add Pucci to every girl's wish list. Currently Pucci is being designed by English designer Matthew Williamson. We are curious to see which direction a new Pucci print will be heading, but unfortunately we'll have to wait until fashion week!

Fear not; not all the Puccis have left the building, daughter Laudomia has been involved since the 90's and is now the labels Image Director.

Klein This!

Calvin Klein goes bold once again. Model Suvi Koponen is back for the 08/09 campaign. Designer Francisco Costa comments on his choice to continue working with Suvi: "The clothes are categorized by sharp, angular lines with a real emphasis at the waist, torso and legs. We thought that Suvi was the perfect choice to bring that to life in this very graphic campaign. She's so current and versatile in her look and expression. She really exudes a certain strength that echoes the overall look of the season."

Koponen, originally from Finland, has worked with Calvin Klein in the past and has representation in New York, Paris, Milan and London.

The HBC Revamp

As we reported earlier, HBC, the 388 year old Canadian company has been sold to an American company which owns Lord & Taylor. With this new acquisition comes a new CEO by the name of Jeffrey Sherman, who was appointed to the position this past Thursday, a day before the news officially broke to the public regarding the HBC transfer.

Sherman has experience working in executive positions at Ralph Lauren Co., Victoria's Secret, The Limited Brands, and monster deparment store Bloomingdale's, and feels that he can bring something new and exciting to the HBC company. His comment on the current state of HBC? "I come from a world where a maniacal, intensive, disciplined understanding of the customer drives all strategic decisions in the company. I don't think [the Bay] has the clarity towards a core customer group that it needs to have. Today it tries to be wider than ultimately it probably should be."

Sherman will also be responsible for Zellers and Home Outfitters in addition to The Bay. Plans are in the works for The Bay and Zellers to have their own separate CEOs.

Sherman additionally commented that although he had plans to retire, he was approached a mere month ago about this position and felt it a great opportunity. “This opportunity and the level of excitement and enthusiasm of resurrecting and re-energizing and re-positioning a heritage brand is so compelling that my retirement can wait”.

Many Canadians are weary of this new transfer, as HBC is the oldest department store in the world, not to mention a vital part of our history as it started as a fur trading company in the early 1600s. Hopefully Sherman will be able to find the balance between his business interests while still keeping in mind the Canadian spirit of the brand. Congratulations and all the best to him!

Rumor mill: Halston

European designer Marco Zanini who was named the most recent successor of the Halston label is rumoured to have been let go by the brand. Zanini was brought in to revitalize the brand and showed a Fall 2008 collection, but apparently the clothes neither connected with celebrities or clients. It is still unsure whether or not Zanini designed Halston’s Spring 2009 which is set to show at the next New York Fashion week, September 5-12. Halston is owned by The Wienstien Company and Hilco Consumer Capital.

Model Watch: Ali Stephens

Seventeen year old Ali Stephens has walked the runway for Balenciaga, Dior, and Galliano in her short three years of modeling. Since walking the runway for Chanel, Stephens has become the face for Exceptionnel de Chanel mascara. After Chanel’s choice to endorse Emma Watson, they are continuing target the young and fabulous. This up and coming international supermodel is sure to follow in the foot steps of Kate Moss, and we can’t wait to see what she does next!

Stephens is represented by Pulse Mangement (Oregon), and she has contracts with Elite New York, Marilyn Agency in Paris, and Why Not Model Agency in Milan.

All for Half and Half for All

Season after season, the "it" sunglass craze has only been gaining steam, and the battle between designers as to who can create the most outrageous frames rages on. From the return of Ray Ban Wayfarers in a variety of colours to Chloé's oversized gold-accented sunglasses, it seems as though the fashionistas from here to Mumbai are primarily concerned with the newest and hottest designer shades. One of the looks that has transfered from the catwalk to the streets and are making a big splash in Los Angeles and Toronto alike are the Chanel half-tint 5018s. These shades can be seen in recent months on Nicole Richie and Mary Kate Olsen (who else!), and they are certainly something to talk about. Love them or lose them, they've hit the streets and knockoffs are fast on their heels.

It has become glaringly obvious that sunglasses are the pièce de résistance to top off many outfits, and this pair is no exception. With thin curvy arms stamped with the coveted double C and a large round cut-out lens, the sunglasses are a standout expression. Can you dig it?

Hot off the Press: HBC Sold.

HBC, (former) owners of Home Outfitters, Zellers, and The Bay, was sold today to NRDC Equity Partners, the company that owns Lord and Taylor.

According to the most recent reports, NRDC plans to plant 10-15 Lord and Taylor stores across Canada, either existing replacing Bay stores or else building on HBC real estate. NRDC feels that Lord and Taylor will fill the gap in department stores between The Bay and Holt Renfrew.

Richard Baker, the CEO of NRDC commented, "By acquiring Hudson's Bay Co. along with previous acquisitions Lord & Taylor and Fortunoff, we will have an unprecedented opportunity to recreate the retail landscape in North America,"

NRDC plans to invest USD $500M in new equity in the combined company.

The Bay was the oldest Canadian company, incorporated in 1620.

Hidden Gems

Here at FABRIC Magazine, we are dedicated to fashion news, but we realize that the modern fashionista is just as concerned with couture as creative - mixing and matching vintage with designer is part of what makes your style unique. Keeping that in mind, local vintage stores can be true spots to find hidden gems to add to your closet. From celebrities to your eccentric Aunt Gertrude, hip ladies know that one woman's trash is another's treasure. Today we are profiling one of Toronto's most tried, tested, and true vintage stores: Courage My Love.

Courage My Love has been on the scene for more than 30 years, and is one of the best places to look for vintage jewellery, colourful scarves, slips, cashmere sweaters, and revamped vintage pieces in the city. Located in the heart of Kensington Market (be sure to check out Exile as well if you're heading over there!), Courage My Love has a dedicated and loyal clientelle, but a warm and lovely atmosphere. While not all the merchandise is completely vintage, it is usually brought here from Thailand, Mexico, and Turkey, so you can be sure your finds are unique.

Here's to finding hidden gems on lazy summer afternoons!

Courage My Love / 14 Kensington Avenue / 416-979-1992

Bon Voyage!

The Daily Thread would like to congratulate Pheinixx Paul, the creative director of NAFA, who is on her way to London, England to shoot an editorial for Russian Vogue. Pheinixx initiates and directs all creative projects on a world wide scale for NAFA. Some of the prestigious fashion labels she works with are Gianfranco Ferré, Badgley Mischka and Michael Kors. Along with her work at NAFA, she is also the Regional Director & Communications Chair for Fashion Group International’s Toronto chapter.

Congrats Pheinixx!

Driven

Congratulations to Stylus Canada model Daniel Mazzucco who is on the cover of the summer issue of men’s lifestyle magazine Driven. Daniel is featured in a 12 page editorial fashion spread. Driven is a Canadian publication that focuses on automotive, travel, technology, and fashion all geared towards metropolitan men. Also appearing in the magazine are Stylus Canada models Lane Lachance and Courtney McClaren in a full page ad for Ford Motor Company.

Tragedy

Today we are sad to report yet another loss in the international modeling world. Canadian model Diana Gabrielle O’Brien was found dead in Shanghai. The homicide has been rumoured to be the result of break-and-enter. O’Brein was on contract in Shanghai to JH Modeling Agency; some concerns have since been raised about the credibility of the Chinese agency. Since news broke of this loss, the JH website is no longer available. The victim’s friends and family have said that the experience was not what Diana had expected and she was unhappy in Asia, thus booking a flight home for later this month.

Diana was recently working in Milan before her short interlude in her home town of Salt Spring, British Columbia. Long time boyfriend Joel Berry is extremely shaken by this and only has said, "She was just completely in love with me and I just loved her back".

Our thoughts and condolences are with Diana's family at this time.

Moss and Ulliel for Longchamp

Kate Moss scores yet another campaign for Fall '08, this time with hottie French actor Gaspard Ulliel. French fashion house Longchamp, most famous for their Pliage handbags, has chosen this couple to appear in their classic Parisian-inspired ads for the upcoming season. Moss, who has been a spokesmodel for Longchamp since '06, joins Gaspard, a fashion rookie, most notable for his roles in Hannibal Rising, A Very Long Engagement, and Strayed, in these black and white Bardot-esque shots.

Congrats!

Toronto Fashion, beauty, and dance photographer David Hou photographed Hollywood actor Christopher Plummer today. The photo will be used for an upcoming issue of Vanity Fair. Christopher has won 11 awards and has been nominated for 18. David has shot for Zink magazine, Ion magazine and FQ, to name a few. David is off to Paris this fall to tackle the beauty market. Good luck, David!

It’s All About Getting High

City retro is in, and while the look may not be the likes of haute couture genius Christian Lacroix, these city under grounders are making a noticeable statement this time around. With the wave of sneakers being brought back by nearly every major shoe label out there, our American Apparel-wearing friends find themselves in their glory. When this look first hit, it was all about the vintage pair of Nike Air Forces (retro colours of course), and the classic Chuck Taylor Converses. This movement is also bringing back the wayfarer. This skinny jean obsessed subculture caught the attention of Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana who have since shown studded high-tops in reply. These shoes retailed for $380 in US department stores; currently a pair is selling on eBay for around USD$750. This group will generally top off their look with vintage baseball caps and vibrant printed tees; designer Christian Audigier who previously designed for Ed Hardy now has a vast array of original tops. When it gets a little colder, a vintage K-Way jacket is the way this group sways.

Spring '09 Warms Up!

As we reported last week, cardigans are back full force and have been seen in almost all of the Spring '09 collections. This versatile piece is not only classic but it's one of the hottest trends for the upcoming year, seen over twenty times in the first few shows. Noticeable variations on the classic look feature a looser fit and longer and leaner lines, in addition to lightweight fabrics and pockets. The men’s ready-to-wear for Spring showcases a wide array of colour, ranging from neutrals and grays to vibrant yellows and Persian blues; additionally, several designers have shown striped versions. Cardigans, a tried and true favourite of an older generation are now a must-have for every city dweller. Departing from the days of Mr. Rogers, the neighbourhood is now layering the cardigans and teaming them up with exaggerated spring scarves. Currently, Alexander McQueen has taken this classic and added a twist, literally. McQueen has taken the cardigan and created an asymmetrical angled opening. Suffice it to say, the cardigan should be a top priority for buyers and stylists alike. Wrap it up!

Marc Jacobs Remix

Some call it bizarre or just plain tacky, while others say it is pure creative genius. Anyway you slice it (no pun intended!), the Marc Jacobs 'reverse' or 'backward' heel as shown in September for his 2008 collection seem to be making a huge splash in the world of shoe gurus everywhere. These pumps feature a traditional stacked heel directly under the ball of the foot while the heel of the shoe is left to balance on its own over the floor, seemingly defying gravity. Many fashion critics source the attention that the MJ shoe is gathering toward the conscious move away from the "It" bag craze toward the "It" shoe. While we all scrounge to find a shoe to call our own, the reverse heel, which was seen dominating both the Marc Jacobs Fall show as well as many other designers' collections in varied forms, seem to be the answer for many. Like many of Jacobs' past work, you have to see it to believe it!

Whether or not these heels are comfortable or practical seems to be taking a backseat to the fact that they are fashion-forward and something new and refreshing in the world of women's heels. Jacob's design undoubtedly puts an additional stress on the foot by forcing you to put their weight on the ball of your feet, compromising the luxury to lean backwards (God forbid!) or else you'd fall on your face. These chic shoes have been met with much criticism and have been the dominating topic of many fashion blogs, magazine and newspaper articles, and runway reports

You know what they say! "If the shoe fits..."

Sadly

This morning we sadly report the news of another passing; this time a celebrated model. Ruslana Korshunova died this past Saturday the 30th of June in what police have now officially deemed a suicide. Although there was no official suicide note left, friends and family have said that she has been writing poems in both English and Russian about the state of her mental health and her musings on life and death.

The 20-year old model, originally from Kazakhstan, has been on the cover of ELLE and Vogue as well as been the faces of designers such as Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang, and DKNY.

Korshunova allegedly jumped out of her 12 storey Manhattan apartment on Saturday evening. She was represented by IMG model management.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to her friends and family, as well as all those mourning for this unfortunate passing around the world.

Louis Vuitton vs. eBay: Round 1

by Bertille Ossey-Woisard and Gaelle Geoffroy Mon Jun 30, 10:27 AM ET

PARIS (AFP) - A French court on Monday ordered online auctioneer eBay to pay nearly 40 million euros in damages to Louis Vuitton for selling fake luxury goods, in a ruling cheered as a victory for copyright protection.

The Paris commercial court ruled in favour of six LVMH brands and also barred eBay from selling four perfumes -- Christian Dior, Kenzo, Givenchy and Guerlain -- on its websites.

The world's largest online auctioneer, eBay immediately announced it would lodge an appeal, rejecting the view that the court had upheld copyright law.
"This decision is not based on combating counterfeit material. It is based on LVMH's desire to protect its commercial practices and exclude competition," said a spokeswoman for eBay in Paris.

"This is being done at the expense of the consumers and sellers to whom eBay is always offering opportunities," she added.

The court found that eBay had committed "serious errors" by allowing the sales of fake LVMH goods and violating the perfume sales distribution network set up by Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture.

eBay was ordered to pay nearly 40 million euros (63 million dollars) to the six plaintiffs including 19.28 million euros to LVMH Malettier, which makes handbags, luggage and other leather goods.

It must pay 16.3 million euros to LVMH sister company Christian Dior Couture for damage to its brand images and causing moral harm.

The court also ordered eBay to pay 3.25 million euros to the four perfume brands for sales in violation of its authorised network.

LVMH hailed the decision as a coup against illegal sales on the Internet.
"It is a major first because of the principles that it recognizes and the amount sought," Pierre Gode, an aide to LVMH president Bernard Arnault, told AFP.
Describing eBay's anti-counterfeit measures as "empty", Gode said the court decision was "important for the creative industry" and that it "protected brands by considering them an important part of French heritage."

LVMH, the world's leading luxury brand, was seeking 50 million euros in damages from US-based eBay Inc. and its Swiss subsidiary eBay AG for the auctions of fake goods and unauthorised sales of perfumes.

It had argued during the case that began a year and a half ago that eBay knowingly allowed the sales of counterfeit products such as handbags, lipstick, perfume and clothes on its website.

The court issued a cease and desist order to eBay, barring it from running ads for the perfume and cosmetic brands or face a fine of 50,000 euros per day.
The full text of the decision is to be posted on the eBay sites in English and French within the next three weeks, the court ordered.

The ruling came amid a flurry of legal action against the online giant, which claims to have some 84 million active users in 39 markets worldwide.

Three weeks ago, eBay was convicted by a French court of selling counterfeit goods and ordered to pay 20,000 euros in damages to French luxury group Hermes.
That court ruling, which marked a first in France, found eBay directly responsible for the sale on its website of three Hermes bags including two fakes, for a total of 3,000 euros.

France's traditional auctioneers took legal action against the eBay in December, accusing it of encouraging trade in pirated and stolen goods.
A council representing the auction industry also accuses the Internet trader of breaking a French law that requires all auctioneers to be approved by the state.
According to eBay, the total value of items sold on its trading platforms in 2007 was nearly 60 billion dollars.