To help kick off New York Fashion Week, amfAR hosted a glamorous gala attended by a bevy of models. Doutzen Kroes struck a pose in a floaty red chiffon frock; Lily Donaldson wore a champagne gown with a unique black band; Jessica Stam stood regal in a slick black number with shimmery slices; Noemie Lenoir opted for a sexy red silk gown; and Anja Rubik played it pretty in an ethereal light lavender gown. They all deserve a standing ovation but which look reigned supreme?
>> Last night, editors and models alike gathered at Cipriani to simultaneously launch Fashion Week — officially — and benefit one of fashion's favorite causes: AIDS research foundation amfAR. Anna Wintour presented and Donna Karan received an award for her contribution to amfAR's mission; Lara Stone, Caroline Winberg, Jessica Stam, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Lily Donaldson, and Anja Rubik (with boyfriend Sasha Knezevic) all got gussied up and came along for the ride. Afterward, there was a mass migration to Rose Bar, where they were joined by Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Giovanna Battaglia for a little enjoyment of the calm before the storm.
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>> After weeks of speculation, we got our answers. As rumored, Izabel Goulart is no longer a Victoria's Secret Angel — there is speculation that she broke her contract to work for Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange — but she, along with the Angels and 26 other non-Angel models, taped the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Miami on Saturday. There were a few casting surprises — no Asian models?; some disappointments — no Natasha Poly or Jessica Stam; and lots of newcomers — Arlenis Sosa Pena, Sarah Stephens, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Sessilee Lopez, Clara Alonso, Edita Vilkeviciute, Erin Heatherton, and even Lara Stone made it after all. Broken glass catwalk aside, Maryna Linchuk had a stellar outing — many have their bets on a Angel contract for her in the future — and Doutzen Kroes cozied up to boyfriend DJ Ruckus at the after-party. All in all, enough party to hold us over until the show airs Dec. 3.
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Let the pajama party begin. Plumage, perfectly toned (and tanned) bodies, sequins, lace, and ruffles, and, of course, Heidi Klum, all make up the holiday cocktail known as the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Victoria's Secret ignored economic uncertainty with a full-blown lingerie love affair at Miami's newest hot spot: The Fontainebleau hotel. When asked about this year's show, Ed Razek, VS’s president and chief marketing officer said, “Quite candidly, I think people are looking for a little escape right now." While many a celeb and pretty face turned out for not one, but two runway shows, there was more than enough escape to go around.
The show will air on CBS on Dec. 3., but we've got the sparkly splendor for you now. With Usher performing, VS angels Selita Ebanks, Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, and Miranda Kerr strutted their hot stuff, as well as high fashion models like Lara Stone, Julia Stegner, and Behati Prinsloo. It was refreshing to see a couple classic faces like Carmen Kass and Noemie Lenoir, too. Whatever your fantasy, these girls wore an outfit to fulfill it. From bedazzled bras — Adriana Lima wore the the $5 million black diamond bra — to black lace bodysuits, cozy cuties, sci-fi getups, and dramatic wings, Victoria's Secret brought it full force.
To see lots more from the runway, read more
>> As the Victoria's Secret yacht rolled into Miami and the girls had a beach photoshoot today, we got to see of the 30 non-Angel faces that will be participating in this weekend's fashion show — 19 of them, to be exact. No sign of Lara Stone, Jessica Stam, or Natasha Poly, but after missing yesterday's event, Izabel Goulart is there. There are plenty of new faces — Abbey Lee Kershaw and Sarah Stephens represent Australia, Arlenis Sosa Pena the Dominican Republic, Maryna Linchuk Belarus, and Erin Heatherton the US.
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>> Good news: that July 2008 Vogue Italia? It's still resounding — and not just on the covers of other magazines. Today, one of the Vogue Italia stars, Tyra Banks, taped an episode of The Tyra Banks Show on West 26th Street in New York celebrating black models of the past and present in honor of the Vogue Italia "Black Issue." Joining her and voicing first-hand accounts of their industry experience were Chanel Iman, Beverly Johnson, Noemie Lenoir, and Pat Cleveland. I'm not usually a big fan of the show, but this episode — which airs Sept. 11 — I will have to watch.
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>> This morning, the July 2008 Vogue Italia hit stands, and we've got the scans to prove it. The magazine features an 11-page spread, "Elegance as a Form," with Yasmin Warsame and devotes 9 pages to America's Next Top Model alum Toccara Jones in addition to the two editorials we've already seen: Naomi Campbell's 9-page luxe spread and the 25-page ode to new girl Sessilee Lopez.
But I saved the best for last: "Modern Luxe" by Steven Meisel, spanning 15 pages, and featuring everyone from Noemie Lenoir to Kiara Kabukuru to Jourdan Dunn.
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Models Selita Ebanks and Noemie Lenoir (left to right) both looked beautiful at the recent premiere of Hotel Gramercy Park. I've chatted with both models before — Selita loves sports and Noemie turns out to be a bit of a romantic. And now I've got the scoop on what they used to get these movie-premiere looks. For the details, read more
Bonjour, mes amies! Since today is Bastille Day—the French national holiday—I thought it would be appropriate to talk about how les femmes françaises look the way they do. Think about some contemporary French beauties—Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Tautou, Juliette Binoche, Noémie Lenoir—and I think you'll agree that they are belle indeed.
Compared to the average American woman, our Gallic counterparts view investing in their appearance as an absolute necessity, not an optional luxury. They're more inclined to pamper themselves. Their biggest focus is on developing a beautiful, glowing complexion. French women of all economic means take pride in their skin, whether that means getting regular facials or buying the best moisturizer their budget allows. On a day-to-day basis, I've found that French women moisturize like you wouldn't believe. It's not as though you'll walk along the Seine and see women applying lotion in broad daylight, of course, but I've never met a French woman who didn't apply a cream every single night.
To find out the French approach to makeup, and to discover which products sell better in France than they do in the U.S., read more
This week's Model of the Week is Noémie Lenior (pronounced lin-wah), a 5'10" green-eyed, French-born model and actress whose distinct look may be familiar to you.
The 27-year-old was discovered at the age of sixteen at a post office by a Ford Modeling Agent, but she didn't begin a serious career until she finished school.
In 1999 she moved to New York and has since worked with some of the most famous photographers in the world on campaigns for Victoria's Secret, Gap, Next, Tommy Hilfiger, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren Jeans, Pantene and Marks and Spencer. She has also appeared in Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, and Sports Illustrated and has walked in hundreds of fashion shows.
In 2001 Noémie signed with L'Oréal as their spokesmodel and has also taken a stab at acting. She has appeared in After the Sunset, a few French films and is currently filming Rush Hour 3.
Find out some of Noémie's beauty secrets. To read her fashion interview and to see a gallery of photos, read more
