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Anna Wintour is 66 today. The editor-in-chief of American Vogue and artistic director of Conde Nast is one of the most revered and feared women in fashion. We saw her ruthlessness in The September Issue, along with her honesty, pride and as cheesy as it sounds… passion for fashion. In her 66 years she’s done stints at Harper’s Bazaar as well as British and American Vogue and has even had a “fictional” film based on her life (The Devil Wears Prada, duh).

Becoming editor-in-chief of Vogue in 1988, Wintour has since become a firm front row fixture globally. Elitist? Maybe. Controversial? Certainly. Regardless, she’s changed the face of both Vogue and American Vogue almost irreversibly, a phenomenal feat and for that Anna, we thank you, happy birthday. Here’s seven eloquent bombs she’s dropped over the year.

Anna on longevity:

“If you’re an overnight sensation, you can be yesterday’s news in no time, whereas building something slowly and carefully that has value and quality, that’s what’s going to have legs.”

Anna on fashion education:

“You either know fashion or you don’t.”

Anna on the definition of fashion:

“Fashion is not beautiful, neither is it ugly. Why should it be either? Fashion is Fashion”

Anna on the relevance of fashion:

“If you look at any great fashion photograph out of context, it will tell you just as much about what’s going on in the world as a headline in The New York Times.”

Anna on failing… once:

“I worked for Harper’s Bazaar. They fired me. I recommend that you all get fired; it’s a great learning experience.”

Anna on decisiveness:

“What people hate the most is indecision. Even if I’m completely unsure, I’ll pretend I know exactly what I’m talking about and make a decision.”

Anna on resting bitch face:

“If one comes across sometimes as being cold or brusque, it’s simply because I’m striving for the best.”

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Dissenter Tim Blanks Receives Epic Bashing From Jean Paul Gaultier

We admit Tim Blanks, fashion editor of Style.com, was forward with his negative review of Gaultier’s Paris Couture Show, with such remarks as “Gaultier was once considered the one true heir to the throne of French fashion. But that was once upon a time, and that time has, sad to say, well and truly passed.” Ouch. But Gaultier, in Hedi Slimane vs. Cathy Horyn fashion, responded with an open letter via his Twitter account. While we’re quite bored by designers’ inability to take criticism, Gaultier’s bitch-slap explanation of Blanks and “mille feuille de mousseline” was truly legendary. [Telegraph]

Sneak Peak of The Isabel Marant for H&M Collection!

We’ve already posted our falling-over-in-tears excitement of Isabel Marant for H&M, in the hopes it maybe the first, erm, wearable H&M collab collection. Well now, the designer herself gave us a sneak peak while modelling one of her designs, and she’s looking good —  and our unhealthy obsession continues.

Anna Wintour and Hillary Are Totally BFF’s Now

While Anna Wintour, a prominent Democratic party supporter, hasn’t always appreciated Hillary in the past (calling Clinton “mannish” after she pulled out of a 2008 cover), the two bosom buddies were all chums and smiles for an Oscar De La Renta exhibition gala opening at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas Monday evening. Things got even more sugary sweet during Wintour’s opening speech: “It’s anyone’s guess what the next chapter will be for this extraordinary woman,” she gushed. “I can only hope that all of you here in Little Rock will be celebrating her come November 2016.” Hint hint, nudge nudge. [AP]

Tom Ford Is “Flattered” By Jay-Z’s Shout Out

Tom Ford ain’t a guy who is flattered easily — because well, he’s Tom Ford. But the dapper designer sounded truly humbled and “flattered” by the fact that the coolest on the celebrity playground, king of kings Jay-Z, entitled his third track off his new platinum album “Magna Carta Holy Grail” after him. Between Jay-Z and JT, Tom Ford is so hot right now.

Auction Alert! Suzy Menkes Is Auctioning Her “Tomb Of Trunks”

Suzy Menkes is the latest of a long line of fashion socialites to auction off part of her closet to major art conglomerate Christies (other big wigs include Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and recent songstress Daphne Guinness). The In My Fashion: Suzy Menkes auction collection will consist of 70 pieces from her endless closet, a wardrobe she hasn’t sifted through since 1964. The starting price on items, including a 1980s Yves Saint Laurent trouser suit and a 1960s Emilio Pucci sleeveless silk dress, will be £200. [Fashion Spot]

Celebrity Face Of The Week

The honour goes to cannabis- loving Willie Nelson, who at 80 years of age, rocks shades and braids on the latest campaign for John Varvatos. We have much to learn. [Telegraph]

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FASHION: MORE DIVERSE THAN EVER?

Maybe. Dior booked more non-white models than ever for its couture show, while DSquared has cast only black male models and Asian women for their AW13 campaign. Meanwhile, Malaika Firth (above) is racking up plaudits for being the first black model to front a Prada campaign since Naomi Campbell in 1994. Steps in the right direction, we feel… [The Fashion Spot]

I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER A WINTOUR WITH ALL THE TOPPINGS

Have you ever harboured a fantasy of literally devouring Anna Wintour, Tom Ford or Beyonce? Now you can. An Glasgow-based pizzeria owner by the name of Domenico Crolla has come up with the magic recipe for fashion pizza: dough base + artfully applied tomato sauce celebrity portraits = MAGIC. He calls it pizza couture. We call it delicious.

JOURDAN DUNN’S BOOBS: TOO BIG FOR DIOR

Dunn recently tweeted that she got cut from Dior‘s couture show because she was too busty. “Ahahahahaha I just for cancelled from Dior because of my boobs!” Later she added: “I’m normally told I’m cancelled because I’m ‘coloured’ so being cancelled because off my boobs is a minor.” Speak truth to power, sister! BTW, this is the cup size Dior approves of.

ALEXANDER WANG’S PSYCHIC TOLD HIM TO DO BALENCIAGA

The designer consulted a psychic before he took the top job at Balenciaga (apparently, it was his “destiny”). There’s some previous form here: Wang’s mother visited a fortune-teller while she was pregnant with him and was told the birth would be fortuitous. As Tinie Tempah once wisely said: “It is written in the stars.” [Vogue]

WEREWOLVES CRASH THE RICK OWENS SHOW

Correction: they’re an Estonian rock band. Meet Winny Puhh, who were handpicked by Rick Owens to soundtrack the show and provided one of the OMG tweetworthy events of Paris (other than the streaker at Dolce & Gabbana). They’re old hats at playing while suspended from the ceiling too – it was part of their Eurovision entry. And no, they didn’t get very far in it. [Buzzfeed]

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Words: Zing Tsjeng (Follow Zing on Twitter @misszing)

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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

“Everyone thinks I’m going to be a cow.” Victoria Beckham has publicly acknowledged her bitchface at a Vogue Festival panel (we don’t hold it against you, VB). In the meantime, enjoy some vintage Beckham, courtesy of her solo career. [Telegraph]

OBLIGATORY ‘RELENTLESS EXPANSION INTO ASIA’ HEADLINE

H&M, continuing its plans of world domination, will spend £130 million on expansion and opening 50 stores in India. Meanwhile, Asos (above) has announced its plan to open a site in China after posting a 19% increase in profit. [BoF, Guardian]

MOST ENVY-INDUCING MODEL NEWS STORY

Runway model Kendra Spears is set to marry into royalty after announcing her engagement to Prince Rahim Aga Khan. Her soon-to-be father-in-law, the Aga Khan, is the spiritual leader to a global community Shi’a Muslims. That’s right – she’s basically going to become a princess and a religious figure. They look great together (we said, through barely gritted teeth). [Daily Beast]

CLICKTIVIST LINK OF THE WEEK

The search for survivors in the Bangladesh factory collapse continues. The collapse, which caused an estimated 299 deaths, has ignited a petition to stop fashion retailers using dangerous and unethical garment manufacturers. Wanna do something about it? Make your voice heard with this petition. [Change.org]

AWKWARD INSTAGRAM OF THE WEEK

You know that feeling when someone walks into a party wearing the exact same outfit as you? Now imagine you’re Anna Wintour and the other girl is Marc Jacobs. Totally. Fucking. Awkward. [@amyastley]

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Haizhen Wang moved to the UK from China, and his designs are inspired by authentic Chinese culture and dramatic contrasts in architecture. A master of structure, his dramatic tailoring is striking, yet thoroughly wearable. Does he stand a good chance? “I don’t know!” He told Wonderland. My advantage is that I’ve been in the industry a couple of years: I have experience, I’ve got strong skills and I’ve had my label for the past two years, it all gives me more confidence. I feel ready for the day that I have the opportunity to have a catwalk.”

Shuting Wang also started her career in China. “I think the Chinese mind and the English minds are like strands of DNA. Sometimes they think together, but most times they are poles apart. It is this juxtaposition which provides 180 degrees of space to challenge, question, and think in ways which help to create new ways to interpret the world around you.” Wise beyond her years, she tells us, “the most beautiful woman is like water, who seems soft and gentle, but cannot be broken.” Her line echo this idea; the designs are beautifully delicate, yet have a sense of timeless wearability.

Across the board, the label concepts are striking. For Cornel Bolt, inspiration comes in the dynamic of love vs power. “It’s a philosophical concept. That idea of having multiple personas within the self. The rivalry for superiority, it came from the “Ring Cycles” by Wagner. Individual conflict, I felt it was a beautiful concept.” He describes his label as forward thinking. Avant garde yet accessible, conceptual yet wearable, sophisticated yet young and fresh.

Raffaele Ascione’s designs have already been worn by Lady Gaga. “It was amazing, I never even had her in mind but it was so great.” Who did he have in mind? “Celeb wise I absolutely love Clare Danes, she has a graceful beauty that’s not typical. And I’d love to see Rihanna in more sportswear stuff.” Ascione has always harboured a passion for hip hop culture, and his dramatic silhouettes harmoniously fuse this urban edge with a sophisticated femininity.

Last but not least, we spoke to Vita Gottlieb. The only candidate without formal fashion training, her aesthetic is rooted in a multi-disciplinary approach to art. With a background in fine art and film, Gottlieb takes experiences of storytelling and human character and translates it into her designs, “I have a vivid imagination, I create stories and that’s the way I see the label developing, there’s endless inspiration within people”. In her dramatic attention to detail, her intricate garments feature secret pockets and hidden elements, each piece become unique to its owner and their own stories.

This year’s shortlist are extremely diverse in all aspects, from their experience to choice of materials. Yet, each candidate showcases a forward thinking attitude to fashion, and a pioneering collection. So who’s going to win? Not even a clue.

Words: Shannon Mahanty

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1. Natasha Poly vs Jessica Hart

Call in the fashion police! The two top models were with their celeb entourages at Double Seven, an exclusive NYC nightclub, but the night ended in hospital – and Poly’s friend Adam Hock, a former club owner, wound up in handcuffs. Nobody knows how the brawl got started, but Hock claims that he acted out of self-defence after Hart’s friends attacked him. According to bystanders, Hart later flipped off Poly and shouted, “Your husband’s a loser! Fuck you!”

Winner: Natasha. Poly’s kept quiet over the incident – and in our view, that’s keeping it classy.

2. Karl Lagerfeld vs YSL

Possibly the most infamous feud in fashion history, the notorious rivalry between Saint Laurent and Lagerfeld dates back to 1952, when the former clinched the title of the next great couturier at the International Wool Secretariat. It even inspired its own book, The Beautiful Fall – and rumour has it that Lagerfeld even tried to stop its publication.

Winner: Lagerfeld. Even before his death in 2010, Yves had retired from the fashion world – but Karl’s still going strong.

3. Naomi Campbell vs The World

The supermodel’s anger issues are the stuff of legend: back in 2000, she was charged with assaulting her assistant and threatening to push her out of a car. Five years later, Campbell was back in the dock for slapping her new PA. In 2006, she moved on to assaulting housekeepers with her mobile (a jewel-encrusted one, no less) and in 2011, was banned from British Airways for going beserk on two police officers on a flight.

Winner: Naomi. We’re scared of her. Lest we forget her prolonged spat with fellow catwalker, Tyra Banks:

4. Coco Chanel vs Elsa Schiaparelli

Chanel may have inspired her fair share of fawning biopics, but the legendary Frenchwoman was far from a saint. In fact, she took a special dislike to rival designer Elsa Schiaparelli, dismissing her as “that Italian artist who makes clothes”. Not content with insults, Chanel also once “accidentally” set Schiaparelli on fire by pushing her into a candle arrangement.

Winner: Chanel. Schiaparelli’s designs aren’t being revived anytime soon.

5. Tom Ford vs YSL

In 2009, the tatt-happy designer gave an interview to The Advocate where he lifted the lid on his tumultuous relationship with his former boss. “Pierre [Yves’ partner] and Yves were just evil,” Ford says, claiming that the pair would call up the police to shut down his office. “I have letters from Yves Saint Laurent that are so mean you cannot even believe such vitriol is possible.”

Winner: Saint Laurent. Speaking ill of the dead only a year after Yves’ passed away from a brain tumour? Not classy, Tom.

Words: Zing Tsjeng

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