• Acne made three androgynous shirts they say are specifically targeted to transvestites and cross-dressers. [Vogue UK]

• Dolce & Gabbana on its split with British store Selfridges: “Given the unavailability in Selfridges stores of ideal spaces which could fit with Dolce & Gabbana and D&G brands’ levels and expectations, the group decided to discontinue the distribution of both brands’ collections through the department store. This decision is consistent with the group’s constant work to always ensure the best expression of brand and to preserve its image.” [WWD]

• A former Vogue intern is turning to eBay to sell back issues of the magazine that she apparently took from the office when she worked there. Oh, the lunch stipend wasn't payment enough? [Fashionista]

• When Rafael Nadal got his hair cut at the Julien Farel salon, salon employees stole the trimmings off the floor. [Page Six/NYP]

• Karl Lagerfeld is designing a capsule collection for Hogan, which is set to launch October 2. [Vogue UK]

• Alexa Chung on her entrepreneurial ambitions: “I’d really like to do a Spice Girls restaurant. We can call it Spice Up Your Life. It can have Spice Girl memorabilia everywhere and serve curry.” [Daily Candy]

• Kirsty Hume stars in a series of viral videos for Agent Provocateur, in which she orders around a male model wearing manties and bunny ears. [WWD]

• Tennis player Jelena Jankovic played Ping-Pong with Stuart Weitzman at his showroom on Tuesday to warm up for their match on Fashion's Night Out. [Page Six/NYP]

• What does it take for an ad to be banned? Here's a roundup of this year's fashion ads that have been axed from billboards for their racy content. [Guardian UK]

Filed Under: loose threads, acne, agent provocateur, alexa chung, designers, dolce & gabbana, hogan, jelena jankovic, karl lagerfeld, kirsty hume, models, rafael nadal, selfridges, stuart weitzman, vogue

Being in debt feels bad and scary enough, but what do you think it feels like to — instead of owing money to a financial institution — owe money to Steve Madden? Betsey Johnson knows, now that Steve Madden Ltd. has taken over a $48.8 million loan to her company, according to papers filed with the SEC late yesterday. Johnson, whose Fashion Week show is in ten days, has until August 20, 2012 to repay Madden — otherwise he might get her brand. And her stuff.

Madden already holds a license for handbags, small leather goods, belts and umbrellas under the Betsey Johnson and Betseyville trademarks. The collateral for the loan includes the company’s intellectual property, so Madden could be in line for the labels it holds as licensee. Also included among the items securing the loan are “the borrower’s personal property, accounts, deposit accounts and cash, equipment, fixtures, general intangibles, goods [and] inventory.”

A designer brand would be just the thing to add to Madden's stable. In addition to his own Steve Madden stores, he does shoes for Madonna's Material Girl line, just bought handbag company Big Buddah for $11 million, and just invested $5 million in Bakers Footwear Group, which could lead to a one-fifth stake in the company. So while other designers, like Johnson, struggle in this economy, Madden is doing pretty well. His second-quarter results were up, with net income growing 63 percent and sales up an impressive 36 percent, while the stock is up 71.2 percent from a year ago. Somewhere American Apparel is crying into all the overpriced meatpacking-district-nightclub shoes they never made.

Betsey Johnson Defaults, Steven Madden Steps In [WWD]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: dreams don't always come shoe, betsey johnson, steve madden

The sweet blushing pinks and peaches in your makeup palette had their moment this spring. Now, with fall approaching, we're ready to retire the nudes and bring back the power pout. Nars launched a line of six new matte lipsticks this week, forgoing sparkly and sheer glosses in favor of bold, classic color. The standouts of the bunch are the rich, autumnal shades: Vesuvio (on Heather Marks, above), a cherry-red; Terre De Feu, a deep crimson (right); and Volga, a dark, vampy plum. Unlike fickle high-shine lipsticks, these shades stay put all night.

Nars Pure Matte Lipsticks, $25 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Read more posts by Lauren Murrow

Filed Under: best bets, beauty, best bet, nars

Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter both wore short, glittery frocks to the Tokyo premiere of Resident Evil: Afterlife. Jovovich chose a gold number with bat-wing sleeves, while Larter opted for a purple frock with a bump-emphasizing belt. In fact, with her sparkle-swathed pregnant belly, it's almost like she's carrying around her own personal disco ball. Both ladies amped up the shine with blingy bracelets, and, in Jovovich's case, a rhinestone-studded clutch.

Who do you think won the battle of the glitter?

Read more posts by Caitlin Petreycik

Filed Under: look of the day, ali larter, milla jovovich, resident evil:afterlife, trends

At spring 2011 Paris Men's Fashion Week, we saw a serious spike in the amount of hair on the runway. Beards were most definitely out, about, and growing wildly. Will that trend take at New York Fashion Week next week (!!) as well? Michael Bastian, who has an eye for the hottest male models in the business, suggests as much.

You have the most beautiful models in the industry. How do you do it?
"We haven't even started our casting yet. We see a thousand guys to get 30 guys—we see every guy in New York."

What's the look you're going for this season?
"Hairy, I don't wanna see any waxed chests, any waxed legs. Hairy—would love some facial hair...tough. We're looking for Navy S.E.A.L.S. this time.

It's too soon to start speculating whether the preppy trend is finally on the way out, but it sounds like it's finally time for the boys on the casting circuit to break out the hairy heavage. One wonders what so many male models — who seem to revel in their hairlessness — will do if they have to be hairy to get work all of a sudden. Rogaine Pour Le Corps?

Michael Bastian On Waxed Chests, Hairy Models, And Miss Universe [Refinery 29]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: hairy situations, designers, fashion shows, michael bastian, models, new york fashion week, spring 2011

Personal-style bloggers face a very real challenge in finding ways to take pictures of themselves wearing clothes in different ways. They can't just go to the same dusty gas station, day in, day out, with the same sleepy-eyed look and same forlorn attitude. They have to mix it up, try new things, use new props, and visit new places that best showcase their spirits and, well, personal styles. Whether it's dancing in the night with a dream catcher, or standing expressionless in a wooden cabin, or visiting the clam-chowder house in Montauk, the creativity of a good personal-style blogger can never take a vacation — what they do is just as important as what they wear when they do it. Courtney Love is relatively new to the profession, but she seems to have a visceral understanding of this principal. Today she posted photos of herself alone in first class, reading a book, relaxing, putting something in her drink (a tea bag, maybe), and looking completely out of place while doing it. Bravo, Courtney! Now all she needs are pictures that aren't always blurry and she might just become the No. 1 personal-style blogger on the Net.

whatever comes [What Courtney Wore Today]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: blogging goddesses, courtney love

So you're out at a bar, you see a hot guy, you try the ol' eye-sex routine, but his elbows are glued to the bar and he doesn't come toward you. Now what? Do you assume he's having eye sex with a girl (or guy) behind you? Do you send him a drink, which costs money you're not sure is worth spending? Or do you give him a plastic string in the shape of something suggestive? Many women these days, according to the Daily News, are choosing option No. 3: Silly Bandz.

"I had no idea what they were," said financial planner James Santos, 32, who lives in Tribeca.

"I went on a date with a girl. She gave me one. Two days later, another girl gave me another Silly Band. I felt important."

Santos said he now keeps his own stock of the bands, shaped like palm trees and surfers, wrapped around his right arm.

But this could get complicated. Do the shapes mean different things? If you give someone a Silly Band in the shape of a beetle, does that mean, "You're a creep, get away"? No, that has to be too complicated for even the overthinking Carrie Bradshaws of the world. Telling strange men "Leave me alone," is just so much easier and more effective.

No kidding: Grown-ups using rubber Silly Bandz to flirt in bars and clubs [NYDN]

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: put a bracelet on it, silly bandz

After a launching denim and sunglasses to mixed reception, Victoria Beckham took the plunge into the high-end dress business. Some speculated the line was the work of one of her favorite designers, Roland Mouret, but with this line, Beckham — like the Olsens — has managed to eschew stigma associated with celebrity designers. Her dresses are worn by celebrities and the cast of Gossip Girl with none of the chintzy flair or stifled laughter associated with so many other celebrity-"designed" clothes. Her status as a style icon undoubtedly has something to do with that, but whatever magic is behind the venture, it's landed her a nomination for a British Fashion Award in the Designer Brand category, along with Burberry, Mulberry, and Pringle of Scotland. So Posh Spice — Posh Spice! — is now viewed in the same design caliber as Burberry.

Other notable categories include best model, in which David Gandy's fatless pecs will battle Lara Stone and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's famous bosoms. And stylist Nicola Formichetti, who turned Lady Gaga into the crazy disco creature she is today, is up against Nick Knight and Rankin for the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. The full list of nominees:

Designer Brand
Burberry
Mulberry
Pringle of Scotland
Victoria Beckham

Emerging Talent Award - Accessories
Charlotte Olympia
Husam El Odeh
Jessica McCormack

Emerging Talent Award - Ready-to-Wear
Mary Katrantzou
Meadham Kirchhoff
Michael van der Ham

Model
David Gandy
Lara Stone
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Accessory Designer
Camilla Skovgaard
Emma Hill for Mulberry
Nicholas Kirkwood

Menswear Designer
Christopher Bailey for Burberry
E.Tautz, Margaret Howell
Paul Smith

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator
Nick Knight
Nicola Formichetti
Rankin

Designer of the Year
Christopher Kane
Erdem
Phoebe Philo for Céline

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: ballot box, british fashion awards 2010

• Silk dresses and shirts are 25 percent off in-store and online during the Yumi Kim Labor Day weekend sale. Online shoppers use code "yklabor" at checkout. Through 9/6. 105 Stanton St., at Rivington St. (212-420-5919); Su–Th (noon–8), F–S (noon–9).

• Clothing, shoes, and accessories from Antik Batik, Chan Luu, Marika Charles, and more are half-off at Task. Through 9/30. 100 N. 3rd St., nr. Berry St. (718-963-2600); T–Su (noon–8).

• Receive additional discounts on merchandise already marked down 25 to 65 percent at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. Stores include American Apparel, Marni, Rock & Republic, Superdry, DKNY, and more. Through 9/6. 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley (845-928-2006); F–M (9–9).

ENDING TOMORROW
• New designer merchandise is 50 to 70 percent off and the No. 6 collection is 50 percent off at No. 6. Vintage clothing and clogs are 20 percent off. 6 Centre Market Pl., nr. Broome St. (212-226-5759); M–S (noon-–7), Su (noon–6).

Filed Under: fashion calendar, sales, shopping