Sneak Peak: Jimmy Choo for H&M

Photos: Racked.com

Tis the year whence highbrow meets mainstream designers, when Rodarte collaborates with Target, when all of Jimmy Choo’s fans can have a piece of his cheaper art. Walking into H&M on November 14, for the price, two months down the line, you shouldn’t curse the Chinese laborers and H&M execs when the heel or weave snaps or frays respectively, especially when, “Choo had a hard time creating nice things at an H&M price point.” [The Cut] The collection features shades of suede, neck-to-knee sequins (and all things shiny), fringe, faux hair and lots lots of (genuine) leather Jimmy Choo shoes. Take a look for yourself after the jump.

The Fading Garment Industry: ‘Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags’

Before capitalists understood the value of Chinese labor, the garment industry was fruitful with fabric makers to tailors to seamstresses during the 70s to 80s. Fast forward to 2009, when only 5% of clothing is manufactured in the United States — down from 75% in the mid-60s. What’s the moral of the story? The Garment Industry is desperate to conserve its nearly depleted oxygen. ‘Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags,’ on HBO Monday night 9pm EST, documents and educates fashionistas about this failing industry with a brief glimpse through New York City’s Garment District history.

Four Women of ‘Nine’ Grace Vogue’s Cover

Anna Wintour pioneered celebrity cover shoots and with ebbing ad sales, what’s better than an opportunity to ask not one, but four beautiful celebrities to grace the November issue of Vogue? Banking on the success of movie musicals (from left to right) Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson, stars of ‘Nine,’ strut the shorelines of California in shades of red, shot by Annie Leibovitz and assures us a glimpse into the set of ‘Nine.’ If you’re a fan already, and want to catch Nicole Kidman’s last act before retirement, ‘Nine’ is set to hit theaters on Christmas day. Vogue, where on the cover is Fergie?

Out: Lady Gaga at The Box Invite!

Finally, the highly anticipated invite to The Box (and a special performance by Lady Gaga) celebrating Out‘s September Issue came in my email! I blacked out some details because well, I’m not allowed to tell you. I can tell you it’s in several days, but it’s too bad I’m restricted to a solo appearance unless I get special approval.

Frick. Plane tickets are expensive.

Fashion’s Night Out – TODAY!

Ah, the one day hyped up almost as much as Fashion Week itself has finally arrived, and Mo will be there taking some candids of the shopping chaos that will inevitably ensue. Will she catch Justin Timberlake signing autographs, or Anna Wintour bobbing her head to the musical, Hair, or will she snag a Zac Posen painting at Bergdorf Goodman? Check back later tonight and tomorrow for exclusive photos! Cheers!

Go Gaga for the Lady at The Box

Do you remember this Lady Gaga cover (top)? To celebrate the September Issue of Out, now that I’m allowed to divulge this piece of info that I’ve been itching to leak for the past month, I can now tell you that Lady Gaga will be performing at The Box — yes the cabaret that charges 10k for a seat — a day after the Marc Jacobs after party. I’m just waiting for the company invites.

Event: Sode Collections @ Metropolitan Hotel

I’ll be away for the day as I’ve been invited to peruse Southern designer’s collections at the Metroplitan Hotel in NYC. Rumor has it that a certain Gossip Girl is going to be stopping by. I’ll take pictures and post them up for viewing later later tonight (hopefully). Oh, and it looks like my editor wants me to freelance for a little $$. I still haven’t heard back from Esquire (it’s been a week) and I’ve sent a follow up email not too long ago. I don’t have a good feeling about this, but oh well. I can always go back to school. It’s a good idea to keep in contact with your editors and do a good job for obvious reasons, but I’ll get into that later. I will try to have content from today’s event ASAP, and of course I’ll try to snap a few celebrity candids.

— Francis Bea

Quick Recap: Anna Wintour on Letterman

• I love Letterman, he’s hilarious and unafraid to jab Anna Wintour for being, “aloof, bitchy and mean to the staff.” Then he claims to be wearing a Vera Wang head piece (Letterman lowered his head to expose his receding hairline) just for Anna Wintour.

On an unrelated note pertaining to Obama (I can’t resist):

• According to Letterman, Obama is staying at a 30k/week beach house at Martha’s Vineyard to unwind. Letterman quips, “and to think people say that he’s a socialist.”

I love it!

Finally the Anna Wintour interview!

• She’s in a floral black and white print dress sporting her signature bob and oversize eye glasses.

• She just critiqued his socks and referred Letterman to Tom Brown’s pants that are cut to expose the socks.

• I commend Wintour for being a good sport about the NYT attacks on her personality. “I read in the New York Times this week that I’m an Ice Queen, I’m the Sun King, I’m an alien fleeing from District 9 and a dominatrix. I reckon that makes me a lukewarm royalty with a whip from out of space. What do you think?”

• Addressing the rumors instigated by The Devil Wears Prada, David Letterman says about Wintour that people say, “She’s tough Look out. Oh well, she’ll chew you up and chew you up and then fire you and chew you up and spit you into a cab.” Then he asks Wintour if she ever put anyone in a headlock. Wintour responds, “Maybe you.”

• Letterman asks Anna Wintour what someone, who has $20 in their fashion budget, could buy? She responds, “They could buy a lipstick.”

• Wintour and Letterman are going at it. Letterman asks whether major changes are made only a week before the deadline. Wintour replies, “yes” and that the magazine industry is unlike the TV industry, referencing how Letterman called Wintour to guest star in the ‘last minute’ (three days ago).

Commercial break. She didn’t seem too comfortable. Her false grin and gesticulation — rubbing her hands together — gives it away.

• After the break, Letterman showed a clip from The September Issue exposing the extent of Anna Wintour’s “100%” say in the final product. He got my hopes up when he told us that Anna Wintour would be hitting baseballs. I should have known better. Oh well.

— Francis Bea

Sneak Peak: September Issue

I know you wanted this and now I’m giving it to you. After watching that second clip, I can see why people are buzzing about Grace Coddington. She’s the likeable heroine if I do say so myself — besides, she has been overshadowed by Anna Wintour, and it’s about time that credit has been given when it has been deserved.

Sneak Peak: ‘September Issue’ with André Leon Talley

If that’s what he wears to tennis practice, what does he wear to bed?