GINA GERSHON TO PLAY DONATELLA VERSACE

Lifetime has just announced Gina Gershon as the actress who’ll bring perma-tanned Donatella to life in their new biopic, House of Versace. It’s basically perfect casting – and also handily foreshadowed in Gershon’s earlier work. Here she is in Showgirls, talking about ‘Ver-sayce’ and wearing a studded black leather cowboy jacket that would make Donatella proud. [Hollywood Reporter]

ANNIE LEIBOVITZ SHOOTS GRACE CODDINGTON, HELEN MIRREN ETC FOR M&S

It’s not a Harper’s power list spread of British women, but it sure looks like it. M&S has gone upscale with a Annie Leibovitz campaign featuring Grace Coddington, Helen Mirren, Tracey Emin, Ellie Goulding, Darcey Bussell and a host of other leading women, all assembled under the strapline “Meet Britain’s Leading Ladies”. M&S are hoping it’ll revive their fortunes after a disappointing drop in sales. [Sky]

CAN VOGUE MAKE GOOGLE GLASS COOL?

There’s a casting surprise in the September issue of Vogue: Google Glass. The Silicon Valley innovation is making its Vogue debut in a 12-page spread, modelled alongside haute couture. The general aim seems to be about making Google Glass less like like a smug geek accessory and more like a fashion-forward piece of tech. Hopefully they’ll succeed. [NYT]

BLOGGERS ARE MAKING SERIOUS, SERIOUS MONEY

While it might be a struggle for new blogs to get noticed, more established bloggers are raking it in to the tune of a few million. Thanks to savvy partnerships with affiliate programmes like RewardStyle, bloggers can skim a bit of cash off every time a reader clicks on a ‘buy now’ link in their blog. No wonder Garance Doré looks so happy. [Fashionista]

DEREK LAM WANTS YOU TO BUY HIS WINE

There’s no end to designers’ ingenuity, especially when it comes to brand extensions. So make way for Derek Lam’s newest venture, ‘Poetry by Derek Lam’, a limited-edition wine created in collaboration with Napa Valley’s Cliff Lede Vineyards. The cabernet sauvignon will be available in October. Wonder what kind of booze Marc Jacobs or Karl Lagerfeld would make… [R29]

This post is brought to you by vintage Donatella with Sting, Trudie and Elton:

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In case you’ve been living under a rock, Naomi Campbell kicked off the autumn/winter 2013 haute couture collections in Paris last night by opening Versace. This is kind of amazing.

Campbell shot to superstardom as one of Gianni’s favorite models (she still describes him as a “brother”). But she hasn’t worked with the label for 15 years since she fell out with Donatella – Campbell announced at an impromptu press conference that the latter had been “treating [her] like a stranger for months“.

Happily, it seems that the two have patched up just in time for AW13. As Donatella puts it: “I started this Atelier Versace collection by dreaming about the perfect aesthetic of the black-and-white era. I wanted to make it new, and pictured a sexy and sophisticated woman with a strong attitude. Only a true icon like Naomi Campbell could open this show.”

After all, nothing screams Naomi Campbell more than a plunging, bejeweled basque. So in honour of Campbell’s return to the runway, we thought we’d list 12 more of our favourite Naomi moments.

1. That time she raced a cheetah

Jean-Paul Goude’s spin on Richard Avedon’s 50s photographs saw Campbell run with a cheetah for Harper’s Bazaar. Obviously, the cheetah lost.

2. That time she wore a crotchtastic Chanel bikini

Not everyone can get away with a Chanel-branded crotch logo. Unless you’re Naomi Campbell, that is.

3. That time she fell over at a Vivienne Westwood show and just styled it out

Most models look terrified when they slip on the runway. In 1993, Naomi made it look fun.

4. That time she appeared on Absolutely Fabulous

Joanna Lumley and Naomi Campbell are a match made in heaven.

5. That time she wrote a novel

Yes, Naomi Campbell has written a book. That would be 1997’s Swan. (Make that ghostwritten. Campbell explained that she “just did not have the time to sit down and write a book”).

6. That time she tried to launch a singing career

In 1995, she released her album babywoman. This single reached No. 40 on the UK charts. For some inexplicable reason, the video features Naomi as a Bollywood circus dancer.

7. That time she appeared on Cribs

She bought the house in Jamaica where Ian Fleming wrote all the James Bond novels, because she could.

8. All the times she went clubbing with Kate Moss

If we could somehow live inside a photo, it would be this one.

9. This exchange between Coco Rocha and Naomi on The Face

Why are we so excited about this show coming to the UK? This is why.

10. That time she appeared in a Michael Jackson video

Before Michael Jackson’s plastic surgery exploits took a turn for the worst, he made this video. And it’s still fucking amazing.

11. Every time she walks a runway, period

There’s a reason she’s an OG supermodel. If you need any more convincing, check out the video Susie Bubble shot at Versace yesterday. There’s Naomi walking… and then there’s all the other lesser models.

A V moment…. Naomi walking @versace by @susiebubble

This post is brought to you by Naomi Campbell praying for you:

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

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BEST

1. CARA DELEVINGNE

It’s a nice Burberry dress, but you know what’s truly qualifies as punk in this media-obsessed age? Turning up and facing the paparazzi despite having been photographed a few days earlier with a baggie of “mysterious white powder” falling out of your bag. Anyone else would have issued an apology and spinelessly locked themselves in rehab to wait out the media storm. Cara Delevingne, we salute you.

Punk as fuck rating: More punk than Nancy Spungen throwing a chair out of a window at the Chelsea Hotel

2. KIM KARDASHIAN

Let’s say you’re Kim K, pregnant with your first child. For the past few months, people have been ripping it out of you for being too fat – even accusing you of gaining weight to land a diet endorsement deal. What do you do? Hide in Kanye’s mansion and cry into a tub of Ben & Jerry’s? Nope. You wear a bizarre gloved dress from Givenchy to one of the most high-profile social events of the year and you hold your head high. Punk has always been about ignoring the haters, so in this sense, Kim has truly succeeded. (Still not a fan of those gloves, though.)

Punk as fuck rating: More punk than the Sex Pistols squaring up to a disgusted Bill Grundy during a TV interview (and winning)

3. DONATELLA VERSACE

How could we forget Donatella? After all, this is the designer who admitted “my face is not like this naturally“; the businesswoman who was addicted to coke while running the Versace empire; the icon who inspired her own Saturday Night Live impression. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who defied the naysayers like Donatella did – and all the while looking like the bestest, most gloriously tacky Miami Vice version of a fashion designer ever. Looking ridic while being slyly successful – it’s the punk way.

Punk as fuck rating: More punk than Debbie Harry bleaching her hair in a sink at CBGB’s

4. MILEY CYRUS

Miley: navigating the awkward post-Disney stage of her career by not giving a fuck what anyone thinks. Also one of the best outfits of the night purely because she actually has punk hair, as opposed to that weird sidebraid that people like Miranda Kerr used to give the impression of a shaved head. Come on ladies, show some commitment.

Punk as fuck rating: More punk than early NOFX, pre-Reading Festival headliner days

WORST

1. BEYONCE

Don’t get us wrong, we love Beyoncé. Beyoncé can look fierce. She can look glam. But bless her, Beyonce couldn’t be less punk than if she’d turned up in an H&M kaftan singing an acapella version of Cater 2 U. She’s worn shellac nails that are probably harder than she is. Also, why has every American somehow interpreted red carpet gloves as being ‘punk’?

Punk as fuck rating: About as punk as your little sister’s Black Flag t-shirt from Urban Outfitters

2. MADONNA

There’s paying a sly, subtle homage to a costume theme, and then there’s Madonna.

Punk as fuck rating: About as punk as the matinee performance of Green Day’s stage musical

3. ROONEY MARA

We adore the Givenchy dress, but we always feel as if Rooney Mara has been beamed in from an alternate dimension where Gattaca really happened and all the men only wear Dior Homme AW13. You get the feeling that if a single hair on her head was moved, she’d probably stab someone with a zipper.

Punk as fuck rating: About as punk as Nancy Regan in a Laura Ashley cardigan trying to ban Prince

4. NICOLE RITCHIE

A special Fraggle Rock interpretation of The Snow Queen.

Punk as fuck rating: About as punk as a lounge cover of Guns of Brixton

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

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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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