Valentino: Ready to Resort

September 3, 2014, 2:00 pm

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A robin's-egg blue ruffled gown covered in monkeys. A taupe skirt embroidered with sparkly butterflies. Rainbow-hued sandals and matching bags, skirts and blouses. It sounds like a little girl's fantasy fashion world, but this season the fantasy is coming true with Valentino's Resort 2015 collection. The label is synonymous with chic international glamour and creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli have really pushed the gas on over-the-top fabulousness. We just can't get enough!

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Our NYFW Party Guide

September 3, 2014, 2:30 pm

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It's back to school season for the fashion industry, with New York Fashion Week officially coming back into session tomorrow morning. But here at PAPERMAG, we're most interested in the extracurriculars -- that is, what's happening at night. Throughout the week we'll be reporting from the frontlines of fashion parties, giving you the scoop about what's going down after dark. First up, take a look at our NYFW party guide, which we'll continue updating on the reg as more and more invites start coming in, and follow our hashtag -- #NYFWParties -- on Instagram and Twitter so you're never far from the scene.

Wednesday, September 3

WHAT: VFILES x Def Jam DJ Champs and NYFW Afterparty
EXPECT: Bros in bucket hats and girls in Birkenstocks will rub shoulders with editors, art punks and fashion gadflies at VFILES' MADE Fashion afterparty, which doubles as the championship round of their DJ contest held with Def Jam. Three finalists will battle live for the chance to win prizes that include studio time in NYC and a guest DJ spot at the record label's 30th anniversary bash.
WHERE: Webster Hall
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3, 8pm-midnight
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

WHAT: New York, New York Party at Up&Down
EXPECT: A football team roster's worth of fashion folks including The Misshapes, Derek Blasberg, Ladyfag, Tommy Saleh, Deerdana, Bryanboy, Harley Viera Newton, Sophia Lamar and more host this annual NYFW kick-off bash. There'll be an open bar from 10-midnight, DJ sets by Vashtie, Illuminati Ams, Alexandra Richards, Mike Nouveau + more and a special live performance by Kiesza.
WHERE: Up&Down, 244 W. 14th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3, 10pm-4am
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 35/65

WHAT: Rachel Feinstein's Last Days of Folly After-Party
EXPECT: A low-key evening of art and performances following the closing of Rachel Feinstein's "The Last Days of Folly," a sculpture exhibition in Madison Square Park. During the day there will be a public performance festival in the park but the night will end at NeueHouse with performances by Jarvis Cocker, Sofia Coppola, Kalup Linzy and more. Zac Posen, Cynthia Rowley, Proenza Scouler, and Narcisco Rodriguez will also present Folly-inspired looks. 
WHERE: NeueHouse, 110 E 25th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014, 8:30-10:30pm
RSVP: Invite only.
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 30/70

WHAT: Banks at Top of the Standard
EXPECT: A well-heeled mix of editors, designers, socials and party hoppers will converge for the seasonal re-opening of the Boom Boom Room (a.k.a. Top of the Standard) and a live performance by 2014 breakout singer, BANKS.  
WHERE: Top of the Standard, 442 W. 13th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3, 10pm-late
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 30/70

WHAT: Grandpa Style Launch Party
EXPECT: Sartorial tailoring, menswear as womenswear, on point blazer game, and a street style blog's who's who. DJ Thoth of Fool's Gold Records' Worlds Fair will be spinning on the rooftop and the band Halfbluud will also be playing a set. 
WHERE: Sonny's Soda Shoppe at Mondrian Soho, 9 Crosby St., Manhattan
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014, 8pm
RSVP: Invite only.
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

WHAT: Régime des Fleurs Party
EXPECT: Uptown socials and downtown editors will munch on macarons and quaff champagne at this party hosted by luxury perfume brand, Régime des Fleurs. NYC-based artist Sahra Motalebi will also be treating guests to a performance in collaboration with the fragrance house. 
WHERE: Ladurée, 398 West Broadway, Manhattan
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3, 7-9pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 60/40

WHAT: Ardency Inn One-Year Anniversary
EXPECT: Ardency Inn's signature grungy glam makeup looks on the rooftop of McCarren Hotel & Pool and DJ sets by Audrey Napoleon, Sean Glass and Total Fitness. Nightlife star Nur Khan, Audrey Napoleon and VICE's EDM hub, Thump, host the party. Most importantly, there will be an open champagne bar. 
WHERE: Sheltering Sky at the McCarren Hotel & Pool, 160 N 12th St., Brooklyn
WHEN: Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014, 9pm-midnight
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 45/55

Thursday, September 4

WHAT: ADULT & Curriculum Vitae Get Undressed to Kill
EXPECT: Our favorite high-brow purveyors of smut and literature (and, er, smutty literature), ADULT Magazine, will be celebrating their second issue with a rager at Up&Down featuring tunes by DJ Kitty Cash. (And psst -- we here there will be a Belvedere-sponsored open bar.)  
WHERE: Up&Down, 244 W. 14th St., Manhattan 
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 10pm-midnight
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 50/50

WHAT: Gareth Pugh featured at Lexus Design Disrupted
EXPECT: Avant British fashion star Gareth Pugh will present his Spring/Summer '15 collection in New York City for the first time in conjunction with a series of massive film installations and live performance pieces created with the help of Lexus and multimedia studio LEGS. 
WHERE: Pier 36, 299 South St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 8pm-midnight
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 25/75

WHAT: Essential Homme Issue Release
EXPECT: Expertly groomed fashion bros and male model eye candy. In addition to tanned men, the night will also include a "special surprise performance" and art projections from artist Matt Starr.
WHERE: Gilded Lily, 408 West 15th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 9:30pm-12:30am
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

WHAT: Altuzarra for Target Launch
EXPECT: It Girl DJs, fashion editors and a potpourri of celebs will sip cocktails and shop the designer's new collection for Target, which includes python print blouses, wrap dresses and ladylike pencil skirts.    
WHERE: Skylight Clarkson Sq, 550 Washington St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 7-9pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

WHAT: Chromat Afterparty
EXPECT: A synchronized swim performance by Aqualillies in the new BOND by Chromat swim, a live performance by the trippy synth singer Maluca and DJ sets by Speakerfoxxx and _____HD. 
WHERE: Gansevoort Meatpacking, 18 Ninth Ave., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 10pm-2am
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

WHAT: Parke & Ronen After-Party
EXPECT: Chiseled models who look like they're fresh off a summer spent on the Amalfi Coast, menswear editors and party kids will help the swimwear/menswear line celebrate their Spring/Summer '15 collection. 
WHERE: VIP Room, 409 W. 13th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 10pm-midnight
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 50/50

WHAT: Defiant NFYW Website Launch Party
EXPECT: The self-described "world's first fashion tech magazine" is launching a NYFW website with a Tokyo-themed bash featuring a 'live 3D printing nail bar,' a pop-up shop featuring indie brands like House of Cards, Coveted Society and Only Child London, booze, and music. 
WHERE: Goldbar, 389 Broome St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 6-10pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 65/35

WHAT: Refinery29 Country Club VIP Launch Event
EXPECT: Fashionable socials playing a boozy round of golf on a designer-inspired miniature golf course, DJ sets, and a special performance by BANKS. 
WHERE: 82 Mercer St., Manhattan
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 7:30pm-10:30pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 40/60

Friday, September 5

WHAT: Pharrell's "Ocean Night" Party
EXPECT: Pharrell and G-Star Raw will show their Spring/Summer '15 Raw for the Oceans collection, a new collaboration between the brand and the artist's Bionic Yarn company, which recycles ocean plastic and turns it into yarn.  
WHERE: 23 Wall St., Manhattan
WHEN: Friday, September 5, 5:30pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 30/70

WHAT: Boris Bidjan Saberi Flagship Store Opening
EXPECT: Menswear bloggers, models, and dudes whose shoes cost more than your paycheck will stop by to toast the Barcelona-based menswear designer and the opening of his New York City flagship. 
WHERE: Boris Bidjan Saberi store, 494 Greenwich St., Manhattan
WHEN: Friday, September 5, 8:30pm-11pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 65/35

WHAT: Project Gravitas and JAG Models Party
EXPECT: Models, fashion bloggers and assorted cool chicks will head to No. 8 for a party with a good cause -- the bash is in support of NEDA, the National Eating Disorder Association. Chelsea Leyland will be behind the decks. 
WHERE: No. 8, 357 W. 16th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Friday, September 5, 7pm-10pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 50/50

WHAT: Barbie CFDA Party
EXPECT: Barbie-sized fashion and designer heavyweights will hang at this bash hosted by CFDA and featuring creations by Charlotte Ronson, Cynthia Vincent, Rebecca Taylor, WHIT, and Tess Giberson.
WHERE: 14th Street & 9th Avenue, North Plaza
WHEN: Friday, September 5th, 7-9pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 50/50

Saturday, September 6

(Photo by Rebecca Smeyne)

WHAT: Bushwig
EXPECT: Take a break from the regular fashion pack and head over to Bushwick's annual drag fest. Now in its third year, the two-day celebration will feature 160(!) performances, live music and DJ sets by the likes of JD Samson and Penny Arcade, BBQ, crafts, a BCALLA pop-up store and, apparently, a wedding!?!  
WHERE: Secret Project Robot, 389 Melrose, Brooklyn
WHEN: Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 1pm-late
RSVP: Tickets are $20 (two-day passes are $30) and can be purchased HERE.
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: You don't have to! Just buy a ticket HERE.

Sunday, September 7

WHAT: DKNY x FRANK
EXPECT: Models (notably, Soo Joo Park), rappers, at least one member of the A$AP mob, artist Harif Guzman and, of course, Donna Karan will head to the newly re-opened (and newly re-located) Max Fish for a party featuring music by Jasmine Solana, @LILINTERNET, and "special guests" in honor of the new FRANK151 x DKNY issue. 
WHERE: Max Fish, 120 Orchard St., Manhattan
WHEN: Sunday, September 7, 10pm-2am
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 30/70

WHAT: SLEEP / WALK at Ace Hotel
EXPECT: In addition to a dance party, fashion looks, wearables, and performance videos from subversive art and design collectives Chez Deep, Mike and Claire, House of Ladosha, and FCKNLZ will be on display. 
WHERE: Ace Hotel, 20 W. 29th St., Manhattan
WHEN: Sunday, September 7th, 2014, 9pm
RSVP: RSVP info below
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: You don't have to! Just RSVP HERE.

WHAT: BABËL Dimanche NYFW Edition
EXPECT: Art-centric party collective BABËL is teaming up with Whitewall Magazine and fashion blog WeWoreWhat for a party co-hosted with Sophie Pape, Kithe Brewster and designers Timo Weiland.  
WHERE: Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery, Manhattan
WHEN: Sunday, September 7th, 2014, 5pm-midnight
RSVP: Tickets available HERE
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: You don't have to! Just buy a ticket HERE 

Tuesday, September 9

(photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com)

WHAT: Style360 hosts HSN & Serena Williams Signature Statement for an NYFW After-Party
EXPECT: The tennis champ will celebrate her HSN collection with a bash atop The Empire hotel. 
WHERE: Level R, 44 W. 63rd St., Manhattan
WHEN: Tuesday, September 9, 9pm
RSVP: Invite Only
ODDS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SNEAK IN: 60/40

Homepage photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com

Some Observations on Allison Williams' New Peter Pan Photo

September 3, 2014, 3:00 pm

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Girls' Allison Williams was recently cast to star in a live-taping of Peter Pan on NBC, alongside Christopher Walken as Captain Hook. Today, she shared a first photo from the production on her Instagram account, and, though Peter Pan Live! doesn't air until December 4th, we've got some early observations.

1.) The fact that the lighting and her pose are so majestic is throwing us off. It looks like it should be wind-swept, but THERE'S NO HAIR TO MOVE. Where is her hair? Why don't we understand how wigs work?

2.) In that wig, she looks a little like Paul Ryan or your fill-in-the-blank young, fresh-faced GOP politician who sets off a primal scream in your head anytime he's on TV.

3). Also in that wig, is she boyfriend twins with Ricky Van Veen? Kind of?  Either way, Boyfriend Twins is the name of our new electroclash band.

4) Her costume, with its punk-ish bike shorts and mesh sleeves is very '80s-Sunset-Strip-troubled-teen-punk Peter Pan. Electric guitar squeal!

5). We like her boots.

6.) We have a sneaking suspicion that her entire costume was made out of different textured Ace bandages.

7.) Her outfit may be tragic but we all need to be on her calf muscle-specific workout plan -- which she could teach without even changing out of her costume.

Will Smith's Segway Dance at Burning Man Is Kind of Incredible

September 4, 2014, 7:30 am

≫ Next: Menswear Mavens Nick Wooster and Josh Peskowitz Live In Levi's

≪ Previous: Some Observations on Allison Williams' New Peter Pan Photo

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We can watch this video of a man that is allegedly Will Smith leading a synchronized segway dance at Burning Man until our eyeballs fall out. It's that weird and that good. What's with all the grunting? [Gawker via Vulture]

And here's a better picture of Smith's get-up to burn the man. Welcome to the nightmare factory. [via Vulture]

Ikea made an Apple parody for the "bookbook" and it's pretty great. [via Tastefully Offensive]

Jimmy Kimmel went around asking a bunch of random dudes whether they'd looked at the hacked celebrity nude photos yet. Way to be honest, dudes. [via Jimmy Kimmel]

Think about it... [via Laughter Key]

The Little Rascals turned 20 this year and so the cast recreated the movie poster photo. Damn, so many of these guys look EXACTLY THE SAME. [via Uproxx]

Rap lyrics 4 real lyfe. [via Afternoon Snooze Button]

Good job. [via Knusprig Titten Hitler]

Menswear Mavens Nick Wooster and Josh Peskowitz Live In Levi's

September 4, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Insta Fashion Week: Who Partied Where

≪ Previous: Will Smith's Segway Dance at Burning Man Is Kind of Incredible

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Levi's are universal. They are beloved by man, because they are for everybody. Men, women, kids, grandparents. Gays, straights, Democrats, Republicans. Chefs, businessmen, rock stars, artists, farmers, students, skateboarders, fashion plates, taxi drivers, programmers. Even the President of the United States! Say hello two two Levi's devotees -- fashion consultant Nick Wooster and men's fashion director Josh Peskowitz -- right here.

Video by Elizabeth Hummer

Insta Fashion Week: Who Partied Where

September 4, 2014, 10:00 am

≫ Next: At Home With the Elgort Family

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Michael Alig went to VFiles' Made after-party at Webster Hall. So there is that.

 

KayRizz and Junglepussy gave face at the VFiles party.

Master of ceremonies @Caradelevingne 😂😭😭😭😭🙌✊✨ pic.twitter.com/amOkbcY0A1

-- Scout LaRue Willis (@Scout_Willis) September 4, 2014

Scout Willis (she who hath freed the nipple and fled to Twitter), also ay the VFiles party, tweeted this photo of Cara Delevingne body-slamming someone on a bed. Fun times.


Meanwhile, Cara also bit Jordan Dunn's butt on an escalator.
 
Ali Michael, star of our magical, magical Rodarte Star Wars shoot, was at home in bed watching Law & Order. Sam Waterston turn up.
 
Kiesza took it to the max at NYCULT's party at Up & Down.
 
Kiesza in a Vashtie and Geordon Nichols sammich at Up & Down.
  Selena Gomez pointed at Mike Bailey Gates' hat.

  Leigh Lezark fan danced at Christian Siriano's fragrance launch.
  Meanwhile, Brad Walsh plugged his headphones into nothing at boyfriend Christian Siriano's fragrance launch party. We love you, Brad Walsh.
  Coco Rocha looked tres dramtique at Christian Siriano's fragrance party.
 
DVF hung with the DeBlasios at Gracie Mansion.
 
Banks played at the Top of the Standard...
  ... and made 'em bottleneck.

At Home With the Elgort Family

September 4, 2014, 10:55 am

≫ Next: HAPPY B'DAY: 10 of Beyonce's Fugly Fabulous Early 2000's Looks

≪ Previous: Insta Fashion Week: Who Partied Where

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Teenage girls around the world might be swooning over a sweet-faced 19-year-old breakout film star named Ansel Elgort these days, but this is far from the first time the Elgort name has created a buzz. Ansel's proud father is the legendary fashion photographer Arthur Elgort, whom we celebrate in the spirit of our September issue, as a true original. Most famous for pioneering a naturally lit "snapshot" style of photography, he has been one of Vogue's signature photographers since the '70s and has created ad campaigns for clients like Chanel, Valentino and, most recently, Dior. We invited Arthur to turn his lens on his wife, opera director and producer Grethe, and their kids -- photographer Sophie (who shot photos for this story as well), actor Ansel and filmmaker/producer Warren -- at their Long Island home.

Left to right. Sophie wears a Miu Miu jacket, Rag & Bone/Jean denim and J. Crew sandals. Arthur wears a Burberry Prorsum coat and silk square and Rolleiflex and Nikon cameras. Ansel wears a Dior Homme suit and Marni shirt. Warren wears a Calvin Klein shirt, suit and boots. Grethe wears a Marc Jacobs dress and boots.

Ansel and Warren both wear Marc Jacobs suits and shirts. Arthur wears a Charvet jacket, Burberry Prorsum silk square and Leica Flex SL2 camera.

Ansel wears a Burberry Prorsum jacket and Prada shirt.

Warren wears Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren and holds a Bolex H16 camera.

Sophie wears a Band of Outsiders dress and Lanvin sandals. Grethe wears a Band of Outsiders dress and Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Sophie wears an Araks dress.

Ansel wears a Burberry Prorsum suit.

Arthur wears a Stephen Sprouse vintage blazer, Burberry Prorsum silk square and Rolleiflex camera.

Ansel wears a Burberry Prorsum trench coat.

Special thank you to production intern Haley Sherif.

Check out all the action at the shoot with Warren Elgort's behind-the-scenes video.

 

HAPPY B'DAY: 10 of Beyonce's Fugly Fabulous Early 2000's Looks

September 4, 2014, 11:51 am

≫ Next: "It Would Be Nice to be Remembered as an Icon:" Our 2010 Interview with Joan Rivers

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1. The "Crimped Hair" Look 

It might be the early 2000s if:

• Your sunglasses are of the rimless variety.

• Your hair is crimped.

• And your t-shirt is bedazzled.

You might be Beyoncé if:

• Despite all of that, you still look amazing.
  

2. The "Denim on Denim" Look 

While it's no Britney and Justin moment, we still think people should be talking about this a whole lot more because we have some questions. For one, why was Kelly dressed like a chic pirate instead of wearing denim with a subtle pop of color, like Mama Knowles told them to? Beyoncé looks great though, who are we kidding.


3. The "Sparkly Bra, Bandana, and Belly Button Ring" Look

AKA the glitter goddess look. Bow down.


4. The "Shagadelic" Look

Beyoncé having a majestic ombré poodle hair moment while two white guys stand by in awe.


5. The "Denim on Denim" Look, Revisited

Who knew TRL had birthed so many beautifully fugly fashion moments. Justin and Britney who?

6. The "Bootylicious" Look

When can we buy this belt from the VFILES store? We NEED it.

7. The "Gucci Visor" Look

Paired with a Bob Marley tank, of course.

8. The "80s Prom Dress" Look

How to look amazing while wearing the third most tragic dress in the world: See above.

9. The "Rhinestone Thong" Look

Rhinestone thongs: the only thing you need to bring on a beach vacation with the girls.  


10. The "Class of 2002" Look

Solange, Jessica Simpson, Eve, Nelly, Adrienne Bailon, and some white girl in really tragic corn rows. The gang's all here to wish queen B happy birthday!

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"It Would Be Nice to be Remembered as an Icon:" Our 2010 Interview with Joan Rivers

September 4, 2014, 6:40 pm

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In honor of Joan Rivers' passing today at the age of 81, we re-visit our interview with the comedic trailblazer about the 2010 documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. Below, Rivers tells us about her career, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry and how she'd like to be remembered.

Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg's new documentary Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, chronicling Rivers' career over the past five decades, begins with a tight close-up on the subject's makeup-less face. But according to Stern and Sundberg this wasn't the footage that Rivers, whose done-up look and love of plastic surgery has become a pop culture punch line, took issue with when she saw the film. "At first she was happy with it," Stern says. "But then she got obsessive and came back with pages and pages of notes. She was most worried she might hurt people's feelings." This is the Rivers -- one who wonders aloud to assistants if telling one of her Celebrity Apprentice opponents to 'kiss her Jewish ass' via Twitter, is going too far -- from whom the film mines its strongest scenes. We talked with Rivers recently about testing boundaries, her ousting from NBC, (a network she appeared on regularly through her appearances on The Tonight Show) her short-lived late night career on Fox, who allegedly fired her because Rupert Murdoch and Rivers' late husband Edgar Rosenberg couldn't get along, and abortion jokes.

The documentary focuses a lot on your exhausting schedule. Do you ever envision retiring and taking up a hobby?

Never. I love what I do. Why would I stop? At this point, I'm so programmed. I got up this morning and was sitting in bed with me New York Times and I still did some work first. I always feel a little guilty if I don't do a little work every day. If hard work brought you to where you are, then that's what you have to do twice as hard to stay where you are. The climb isn't the difficult part; it's staying.

You want the spotlight for as long as possible.

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a performer and in the spotlight. Be in the theater, be an actor, be a director. This is what I wanted, so why shouldn't I want it now when I'm still being given the opportunity?

You've also said you'll keep working as long as you're not considered an icon.

Yes. When I'm dead, it would be nice to be remembered as an icon. Icons don't get jobs. Whenever an audience stands, that means they think you're going to die. If you ever see someone come on stage and everyone stands, I think, 'That person's going to die. They all spoke to her doctor.' Stand up at the end, after the act. Don't ever stand up when I walk on.

People should never give you a standing ovation?
No. That really means you're over.

Not a lot of people know that you and your daughter, Melissa, created the celebrity red carpet interview.

People totally forget. That always makes Melissa and me laugh because we did it. Nobody wanted to do it. We said, 'No no no! It's a great idea.'

How do you break the ice when a celebrity won't warm up to you on the red carpet?

You can't. A lot of them are so programmed and they're just not going to tell you the truth, but then they shouldn't be walking the red carpet! And now it's gotten to be so slick that they have a PR person right next to them to jump in and say, 'We're not talking about that!' Or, 'Tom will come over, but you can't ask him if he's gay.' You're given so many preconditions. The red carpet is not what it used to be.

So how do you feel now when you see these huge hours-long red carpet specials leading up to awards ceremonies? Do you think 'I created that?'

No, I'm such a fan. I'm doing exactly the same stuff everyone else is doing at home -- sitting there going 'Oh look! There's so and so. She looks good,' or, 'You think he's drunk? You think she's drugged?'

Do you think George Clooney was drunk at the Oscars this year? There was some speculation.

I don't think so. George Clooney can do no wrong. He's a throwback to movie stars. I got out to California in late '70s, when they still had a couple of them around. They'd walk into a room, and you knew it. I remember the first time I saw Rock Hudson -- he filled the room. Cary Grant filled the room and you'd think, ' There's a movie star here!' Now they all walk in, they weigh three pounds, they're teensy-tinsy, and they don't want to be noticed. You think, 'You're not a movie star, go away.'

You describe yourself as someone who 'just wants to be loved' but you're in an industry that's based on rejection. How do you find peace in that?

I prefer the word 'joy.' The joy I have for my work helps me overcome that. Nothing is perfect in life. You'd better enjoy the good spots, because the bad spots are coming. People always say that women forget childbirth, that the part they remember most clearly is, 'Now I've got the baby!' I think that's exactly the same principle here. I love my career, I love what I do, and if I have to go through shit to get there, then I'll go through shit to get there.
 


What is the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you in Hollywood?

They're always saying, 'Oh you're too old.' If I get that one more time. But you just laugh at that now. Too bad, I'm old. That's the way it goes. I think, actually.... not the meanest, but the saddest thing was, three or four years after the Fox thing had happened, I couldn't get work. I bumped into Jamie Kellner, who was the president of Fox when I was fired, and he said to me, 'You know, we always made money on you.' Which, after going through so much with Fox and Rupert and Edgar not getting along, to hear that verified just ripped me to shreds. And still does. Being fired and having your whole life taken away just sucks, but if you were doing a good job, and they still take away everything, that really hurts.

Do you see any similarities to your experience of being ousted from NBC by Johnny Carson when you went to Fox and what happened with Conan O' Brien?

Conan was going, 'Boo-hoo, boo-hoo. They pushed me out. All I ever wanted to do was do this, and they pushed me out.' Then he goes over to TBS and he pushes out George Lopez. He did the exact thing to George Lopez that Leno did to him. He's just as big a tough guy as Leno. You have to be tough in this business.

But George Lopez doesn't seem like he was put out by Conan.
 
His numbers were shitty just like O'Brien's were. He's probably glad to be in second position.

For all of the jokes you tell at the expense of others in the documentary, you sometimes worry you've gone too far. There's a scene where you're telling your assistant to go on your Twitter account and write about Annie Duke [Melissa's Celebrity Apprentice rival]. You dictate, 'Annie Douche should kiss my Jewish ass, but not with those non-kosher pig lips.' Then you immediately ask, 'Was that too rough?'

If you really look at my act, there are very few people I come down very hard on who aren't in the public eye. If you're in the public eye, you're open to things. But I will never, ever hurt anybody in the audience. I will never make a fool of a civilian. That's not fair. When someone gets all dressed up to come and see you, you don't pick on them.

You're heckled during your stand-up routine in the documentary. That still happens when you perform?

I'm very seldom heckled. That was a boon for the documentary, may I add. I don't think I've ever had anybody like that for the last 14 years. This is comedy, you idiots, relax! I had somebody die in the audience once, but I don't think that's a personal rejection of my act.

How do you bounce back on the rare occasion that you do get heckled?

It derails everything, and you've gotta say to yourself, 'There are 3,000 people in this auditorium and I can't let one person ruin this. I've gotta get the other 2,999 people back on track.' And it's so tough to shut that person out and then bring the others back to have a good time.

When you were first starting out in the '60s and on television doing stand-up, you once told a thinly veiled joke about abortion. Your then-manager Jack Rollins told you, 'That's not what women should talk about.' What did you say to him in response?

I listened and told him he was totally wrong. It's exactly what women should have been talking about. Female comedians' jokes then were so centered on, 'I don't like housework,' which is also part of our lives, sure, but women were players in those days, too. We were going out, we were working. It wasn't just about finding the matching sock anymore. And I knew he was wrong. Jack, whom I adore by the way, was 20 years older than I was. He was coming from a very different perspective of what a woman should talk about on stage.

Do you watch Mad Men?

I watch a little bit of Mad Men, but I lived that era. I get very angry because it's not that accurate. Calm down! Yes, we all wore poofy skirts. Get over it. But my assistant lives for Mad Men. If I ever had to choose between Mad Men and Curb Your Enthusiasm, though, I'd go for Larry David.

Does Curb Your Enthusiasm ever put you one edge? It's such a spectacular cringe-fest.

It is so bad! And that's why I loved Seinfeld. I look at it as a writer and both of those shows' episodes come together perfectly at their ends. You wanna kill yourself they're so perfect.

A Piece of Work also reminds us that you were one of the first women comedy writers. And you still keep all of your jokes filed away on note cards in your house.

Yeah, a lot of them.

Do they still make you laugh?

A lot do, a lot don't. A lot you needed to have been there. I was looking at the documentary, and I was thinking, 'People were laughing at that on Ed Sullivan?' It was a different time, and they laughed at different things.

But some of your jokes still hold up. Your joke that asks why a woman should bother being a good cook...

Why would a woman want to be a good cook? So her husband can tell some hooker, 'My wife makes a delicious shortbread cake?' (Laughs.)

What do you hope people will take away from this movie about you?

I just hope that they have a good time. I'm from the school that if you pay to go see a movie, you damn well better come out and say, 'That was worth it.'

Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work opens June 11.

NFL Players Read Mean Tweets

September 5, 2014, 6:30 am

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The NFL season returned last night (Sidenote: oh.) but Jimmy Kimmel gifted us with a special football edition of "Celebrities Read Mean Tweets," so we're interested.

Watch Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid ask Dan Stevens if he had to "beat off" a lot of other actors for his role in the upcoming movie, The Guest. Oh dear.  [Jezebel]

Sweet Jesus. [TallWhitney]

Aziz Ansari's parents took this adorable photo with Beyonce and Jay-Z at the Made in America Yeezus show last weekend. Scream forever! [Aziz's Instagram]

  Just when you thought this llama was gonna deal with it...Haha, suckaaaaas! [RatsOff]
 

Pug in a ball pit, we repeat, pug in a ball pit. [FYeahDementia]
 
This German paint commercial about a dad making his goth daughter feel more at home gave us the feels. [TastefullyOffensive] Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman paid tribute to Joan Rivers the best way possible: By insulting each other's looks and fashion choices.
 

Next time you're feeling like you need some POWER, just watch this clip of Joan Rivers shutting a heckler in Wisconsin The. F. Down.

From Joan Rivers' book "I Hate Everything, Starting With Me." [Uproxx]

Our Favorite Looks from NYFW: Day 1

September 5, 2014, 8:00 am

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Just like clockwork, fashion week is back and each morning we'll be rounding up a selection of Spring 2015 looks that wowed us on the runway the day before. See below for today's top picks. 

Last spring Stuart Vevers' debut Coach collection ushered in a new era for the brand and his sophomore season was just as strong. From fun-furs in blush pink -- obsessed! -- to cheeky cartoon tees to bags colored in a glittery lacquer there were so many things to 'gram. Also shout out to the flared jeans! We're so sick of skin-tight skinnies.  

Tome was fiercely elegant per usual and we love the casual sophistication of this asymmetrical wrap top and culottes in satin. In this look you could roll straight from the party and into bed.

We're feeling anything that reminds us of being cozy and comfortable and that, naturally, is Creatures of Comfort's specialty. Theses slouchy lemon trousers are the perfect spring smirk to get you through the last few weeks of winter come February. 

Houghton's Gwen Stefani-inspired collection finally brought us the slip dress we've been dreaming of. And with cool-girl Chloe Norgaard and her rainbow hair slinking down the runway in it, we couldn't help but crave it even more! Not to mention the amazing collaboration with Lulu Frost on spider web ear cuffs...we definitely will be chasing those spider webs next season.

We loved the retro vibe of these stripped trousers with the bright red tee with white piping at Creatures of the Wind.  

The trompe l'oeil denim-plush effect on this sporty suit look from Central Saint Martins grad and Russian-based designer Tigran Avestiyan at the VFiles show on Wednesday night looks so rad. In our crisis of comfort that stretch waistband is calling our name.   

Though Band of Outsiders may have cancelled their show this season (huge bummer), we were digging all the prints, gladiator sandals, corsetry detailing and stripes on stripes on stripes that popped up in their spring/summer '15 lookbook.  

Insta Fashion Week Day 2: Who Partied Where

September 5, 2014, 9:30 am

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Anja Rubik gave blonde and bondage for Derek Blasberg at Gareth Pugh's show for Lexus Design Disrupted.
 



Snapping pics with both SJP and Beyoncé, professional hot guy Tyson Beckford was clearly playing celeb selfie bingo at Design Disrupted.

 

Lena Dunham wore a giant bow to celebrate Betty Halbreich's new memoir at Bergdorf Goodman.

 
Michael Bailey Gates rocked the tribal, day glo look at the Thaddeus O'neil show.



At Chromat's after party, synchronized swimmers in debuted Chromat Swim.



Surprise guest Ja Rule did an epic throwback performance at the Essential Homme NYFW kick off party.



Coco Rocha did some off-the-clock modeling with fashion's man about town, Andrew Bevan.



Model beauty secret alert: Ali Michael washed her hair with dish soap and vinegar last night.



Estelle and Vashtie partied in Chelsea with Glamour Magazine for the launch of Street Glam.

 
And to close off the night, Cara Delevingne took blurry pictures of the street. But hey, creativity has no rules.

Road Tripping With Photographer Harper Smith and Baby-G

September 5, 2014, 11:30 am

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For LA-based photographer Harper Smith, who counts Paper, Billboard, Bullett and the Jenner sisters among her clients, finding time to get away is as simple as hopping into her 1970s Ford F-250 and hitting the road with director husband Cameron Duddy (the man behind Bruno Mars' music videos) -- plus her pig Pepper, pug Stewie and lab Remy. "When Cam and I were starting out, we were poor as hell so we just went on road trips instead of big fancy-schmancy trips," says Smith, who instantly bonded with Duddy over memories of Wyoming where they'd both spent their childhood summers. "The day after our first date, I ended up hitching a ride with him and his entire family in an RV all the way up to Jackson Hole. That was our second date, and we've carried on the tradition."

Smith originally pursued documentary photography before finding her way into fashion, but her Americana influences are always underlined in her work. "It's fun to mash editorial fashion stuff with that incredible you-can't-plan-it Americana feel," Smith says. "When these two collide it's my happy place." Her favorite time of day to shoot when on the road is an hour before sunset, but that takes some serious strategy. "When I am shooting in the studio, I can arrange the light however I want," Smith explains. "But when I'm out in the world, I heavily rely on the natural light. My Baby-G alarm is always set to make sure I'm prepared and ready for that last 30 minutes of the day. The hour before sunset, you get that golden feel, especially when you're in the West with the golden fields and golden sun -- it's gorgeous." Watch above as Smith drives and shoots her way through Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

Fashion Bigwigs On the First Show They Ever Went To

September 5, 2014, 1:30 pm

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From fashion show tickets stuck in burning buildings to shows inside Giorgio Armani's palazzo amphitheater, fashion industry heavyweights reminisce about their first time -- attending Fashion Week, that is.

(Photo by Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com)

Ariel Foxman, Editor, InStyle
"My first seven or eight seasons attending shows was in mens, as the Editor in Chief of the long-departed Cargo. My first city was Milan. I remember getting off a plane in June, in a stagnant 90-degree heat and heading pretty much straight to a front-row seat at what was my first show: Zegna. I am sure the clothes were elegant -- I recall a lot of blue -- but I just kept thinking I might actually melt here right in my seat. The venue must have been 120-degrees inside and the runway was lit by overhead Kleig-lights. I think it's the first time I ever sweat down my back, while sitting. I turned to Bruce Pask, Cargo's Fashion Director at the time, and asked him if it was too late to get my entire body Botoxed before the next show. It never cooled down that season, but we had an amazing time nonetheless. We were the new kids on the mens block and print competitors wanted to discredit us. The turf-war element of it always makes me laugh. It's like, if WE don't band together as lovers and supporters of mens fashion, who will!?"

(Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com)

Cathy Horyn, Fashion Critic
"I can't remember the very first show but I remember I started working at the Detroit News in the summer of 1986 and I had atrocious clothes I had bought in Virginia Beach -- I wore a bat wing sleeve dress! During those early shows, I think I spent as much time studying who was in the first row as I did on the runway. I remember thinking, "Oh my god, if I got seated behind Pat Buckley, that would be heaven!" and I would stare into that mass of helmet hairdo and listen and try to eavesdrop on what [people in the front row] were saying.

But of my first shows, the one that really stands out is Armani. It was a show held in the old amphitheater in the basement of his palazzo. You came through the main entrance to big fanfare and then went down these steps and it was always semi-dark. You would sit there on these benches that were covered with cushions and the [models] were right in front of you and they had that glide to their walk that more models did back then. It was like a total fantasy. The other show that left a big impression, naturally, was Versace. I remember the feeling of everybody being slightly outraged. It was the era of the supermodels and these clothes were pushing all the boundaries. The other show where everyone was outraged was Gaultier. His show that I remember the most was the show in which Hamish Bowles was a model dressed in drag. It was a show with all these Weimar overtones. The models, including Hamish, were wearing helmets that were a cross between a military helmet and hat with this blade of hair coming off it like a knife. Everyone was outraged.

In New York City the early shows I remember were Bill Blass' shows. He always played the music that he loved, which was Gershwin and Cole Porter, and his clothes -- I think he referred to his suits as "snooty suits -- were so beautifully tailored but had this "I have money" look to it. He was also a master of the Little Black Dress. He did everything with such finesse and when he would come out after the show, he always looked incredibly debonair. I also remember Isaac [Mizrahi]'s second show -- it was the first one that got everybody's attention. I remember Manolo Blahnik, who had done the shoes for the show, sitting in the front row and swaying back-and-forth because he was so happy."

(Photo by Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com)

Simon Doonan, Creative Ambassador for Barneys New York and Author of The Asylum
"I was in my mid-20s and living in London. Lots of my best pals worked for Zandra Rhodes.
She was a huge deal and was known for having created the rich hippie look with wild printed chiffons worn by Bianca Jagger and Marisa Berenson. I managed to sneak into one of her shows which turned out to be the 'conceptual chic' punk rock show. It was a big departure. She showed slashed jersey dresses decorated with safety pins and chains. Tina Chow and Nell Campbell were amongst the models. Forty years later these fab dresses showed up at the recent Met Punk show. It was like running into old friends."

(Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com)

Kim Hastreiter, Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of PAPER Magazine
"My very first fashion show was in 1982 and it was a Stephen Sprouse fashion show that was held on the second floor of a very cramped showroom on 57th street. The reason I was invited was because I had written the very first article about this young amazing designer named Stephen Sprouse for GQ magazine (I was writing for them in those days). I was still in my 20s I think and fell in love with Sprouse's work because he made the most beautiful tailored classic suits and coats in DAYGLO!!!!! I bought tons of them for myself and Stephen and I started a friendship that lasted until his death."

(Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com)

Nick Wooster, Fashion Consultant
"I was the men's designer sportswear buyer at Bergdorf Goodman in June 1989 when I started regularly attending shows. It was Men's. It was Milan. Giorgio Armani was the most important show of the week. And I was definitely in a blackout."

(Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com)

Jenné Lombardo, Co-Founder of MADE Fashion Week
"I honestly don't remember. I think the first fashion show I went to was in Cleveland, probably at a department store. I may have even been in it. Since then, I feel I was most excited when I got to attend shows like the early Alex Wang days or the first HBA [Hood By Air] show we did here at MADE. Those were really beautiful to me because of the innocence and the true passion behind it. I think what's fun for me is that there's a lot of people in the industry that need to understand things to see how it'll translate and make sense in their world whereas a lot of this is a cultural movement -- a culture we're deeply connected with but that a lot of industry players don't know anything about. Like the GHE20 G0TH1K movement. It was really fun to feel the energy in the room with a lot of people who felt revived but also wildly confused. They knew had they to pay attention but they didn't know exactly what they were paying attention to."

(Photo by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com)

Mickey Boardman, Editorial Director of PAPER Magazine
"The first show I ever went to was Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis. The show was at Parsons' auditorium and I was a student. This was probably 1990 so I was 24. Somebody said, "Oh, if you go and tell them you're a student, they'll give you standing room." Of course I was very nervous that they wouldn't let me in but I wanted to go see it. Since it was Marc, he had all the big models -- Linda, Naomi, Christy. It was sort of a picnic theme. Maybe I dreamed it but I swear there were checkered tablecloth prints with ants crawling on them. I was just busy being shocked that I was there so I wasn't really even able to absorb all of the fabulousness of it. At the time, the show was really small compared to what a Marc Jacobs show is now. Imagine the 'Project Runway' runway -- that was the Marc Jacobs fashion show so that's pretty crazy. It all just seemed so easy -- you could just walk right in and be part of the fabulousness. Plus, I love that I went to a Marc Jacobs for Perry Ellis show -- it gives me context."

(Photo by Aria Isadora/BFAnyc.com)

Linda Fargo, Bergdorf Goodman SVP Fashion Office and Store Presentation
"I get to time travel back to the mid-80's having arrived very green and eyes wide open from Wisconsin. I thought I really hit it with my first job after leaving art school as a display girl at Macy's where they let me do whatever I dreamt up. Somehow I got access to a highly anticipated and rare Thierry Mugler fashion show to be held at the Armory. An hour before the show, there was a fire in the store and they did an evacuation, shutting down elevators and escalators of course! Holy first fashion show stress! My treasured ticket was all the way up on the 16th floor and they weren't allowing anyone in. I talked the security guy with some fabricated personal drama story, into escorting me and we trudged together, up the stairway, to get that ticket. Even at that young age, I recall that 16 flights of the world's largest store wasn't a cake walk, but it was worth it.

The show, even from the 8th row, didn't disappoint! I remember legions and battalions of Glamazon models marching out in powerful formations. OMG! The shoulder pads! The Veronica Lake hair! The smokey dry ice atmosphere shot through with laser lights creating forever long shadows of the girls emerging even before you could see them!

Needless to say, I was thunder struck by it all. It was those experiences at a time when the modern fashion world was still in its nascent stages and shows were productions, models performed instead of the robotic trance of today, and we weren't so flooded with the TMI of it all. It was one of the reasons I'm in this business in the first place." 

Musician Willis Earl Beal on His New Film Memphis, Kanye West, and Defying Expectations

September 5, 2014, 2:20 pm

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Photo by Chris Dapkins

Willis Earl Beal -- the star of Tim Sutton's sophomore film Memphis, which premieres tonight at IFC Center -- was sipping tea and reading a positive review of the film in the Village Voice when I sat down to talk with him. The musician-turned-indie-film-star shifted his attention not to me but to an American Apparel ad: "The Starbucks of clothing," he pointed out. All of this would have seemed fairly innocuous if his eyes and the upper half of his face weren't covered by a black, Zorro-esque mask -- an eccentricity that I soon learned was the norm for a performer like Beal. When I asked what the deal was with the costume, Beal looked at me -- although I can't be sure -- and calmly said, "Right now is a time to be truthful so I'm revealing myself by wearing a mask." I knew this interview was going to get weird.

In his speech, Beal is lyrical, existential, and weary -- much like the character he embodies in Sutton's moody portrayal of a soul-seeking blues man (also named Willis). In Beal's words, "the film Memphis is less a film about artistic block or a black blues musician, and it's more about transcending reality." And although Beal's role was originally written for an "older guy who was past his prime" the part was tweaked to fit Beal when the director saw a clip of him performing one of his songs. "When he saw me singing, Tim knew that he had to reshape his film and that's what he did. Meeting him was very conventional - we hung out and we smoked marijuana." Like masks, smoking weed with your potential film director is par for the course in Beal's world.

After working with Sutton to create the character of Willis, Beal hesitates to even call it a character. "For conventional purposes, it is a character. For me it's not. There's really no separation between the character and me because I just feel like a bad actor in my life," he lamented. "I don't know how to be a real person anyway. So there's no separation for me between the alienation that that character experiences and what I experience -- the problems that I cause for myself in my pseudo-intellectual torrent."

Photo by Henny Garfunkel

Although he toured with Cat Power and was signed to an imprint of XL Recordings -- a label that also launched Adele, Vampire Weekend, and M.I.A -- Beal remains fairly under the radar, though he's quick to mythologize himself. "I'm making myself bigger than I am," he explains with self-awareness, "but if I'm not the legend of my own experience then I'm not going to be the legend of anyone's experience," said Beal. He's got a point. With a classically soulful voice that can evoke gospel and move his fervent fans to tears, most of his magical thinking is deserved.

But now Beal is an independent artist after leaving his record label and his latest album, Experiments in Time was self-released last month. From the start, Beal branded himself as an outsider and at this point in his career, he's tired of being classified as a 'black blues musician.' His persona and music aim at offbeat, or at least less easily categorized. Most of his influence comes from white musicians -- or "the old guys," as Beal calls them -- like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits. This brings us back to the elephant in the room -- the mask. "You see a brown man and the first thing you see is that. You know? He just looks like another black guy. But I put on a mask and suddenly that's what people ask about. They don't talk to me like a black person. I'm trying to communicate a lot of things by wearing a mask. It's probably conventionally pretentious but I don't mind being pretentious a little bit. Kanye West doesn't mind."

At the mention of Kanye West, associations can be made to black musicians striving to break out of traditional boxes both musically and culturally -- both musicians grew up around the same area in Chicago. But when I ask Beal if he models himself after West the immediate answer is a loud, resounding no. He explains, "I want very much to transcend culture. I have no reverence for culture. I have no reverence for Kanye West but I understand Kanye West, I think." Just as quickly as Beal brought the rapper up, he regrets it and backtracks. "Why did I bring up Kanye West? That's how he is! He's omnipresent! Maybe he is a god. I don't know."

After spending years moving from state to state, joining the military, and being homeless for a time, Beal now lives in Washington State -- leaving Kanye's Chicago, and what seems like many lifetimes, behind. "I just want to sustain myself with my music, I want to do things that are truthful, and that's it. I just want to live in this zen-like way where I give and I receive," Beal said, explaining the move. "I used to live on Lexington Street in Manhattan. And I used to have a lot of money when I was with a label so I'd go down to this cigar shop and get a cigar and hang out in there and pretend like I was older than what I was," he said in a rare fond memory of the city. "But I can't take it," Beal went on to say. "I drank myself into a stupor at times. I'd be in a bar drinking when things were at their worst. An hour later there's a man yelling at me or I'm in a taxicab, or I'm vomiting in the hallway. For me, personally, I can't deal with New York. I'm too sensitive. I can't take it." Although he has the same provocateur spirit as Mr. West, Beal clearly has no ambitions to be as famous. He likes his quiet life in Washington that consists of going on nature walks and listening to Dylan -- the old guys -- and at 30 he already refers to 20-something upstart musicians as 'young kids.' "I always," Beal confessed, "enjoyed the idea of being old."

---

The Best, Worst and Weirdest of the Week

September 5, 2014, 4:23 pm

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Worst Art Show of the Week: XVALA's. This artist douchebag is exhibiting the private nudes of Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, and the other female celebrities who were violated by the 4chan leak at a gallery in LA as "social commentary." Ugh, no thanks. -- Gabby Bess [via Dazeddigital.com]

Weirdest Sex Trend of the Week: "Ghost Sex." Yes. Really. -- Abby Schreiber


Best Dressed Dog of the Week: Miley Cyrus'. While we're pretty much over basic-shaming, we have to admit that it's pretty adorable when it's done by a dog. 

Worst Ex-Boyfriend of the Week (Maybe Ever): This French dude who called/texted his ex-girlfriend 21,000 times in a 10 month period! 21,000 TIMES!!! WUTTTTT. -- AS [via Gawker]


Worst (or Best?) Makeover of the Week: James Franco's. Since the actor/whatever has gone bald for his latest film we've heard mixed reviews of the transformation. Notably, it has been said that he looks more like a penis than ever -- which is not necessarily an insult! -- GB

Weirdest Career Change of the Week: Gotye's. The singer of that one song is planning to run in the November elections for the Australian state of Victoria. Since failing to produce a single song as catchy as "Somebody That I Used To Know," he and his bandmates are forming the Basics Rock'n'Roll Party aka The Basics. -- GB [via RollingStone]  


Most Devastating News of the Week: Joan Rivers' death. Rest In Peace you hilarious, bawdy queen. -- AS

Our Favorite Looks From NYFW: Day 2

September 6, 2014, 7:17 am

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Just like clockwork, fashion week is back and each morning we'll be rounding up a selection of Spring 2015 looks that wowed us on the runway the day before. See below for today's top picks. 

The more patterns the merrier at Novis!

Adam Selman is one of the hottest young designers in town.

We can't resist Rebecca Minkoff's denim overalls. 

Photo by @SaintRecords

William Okpo: the colors, the styling, the attitude!  

Photo from New York Magazine

Who else besides Charlotte Ronson could make Teva sandals cute?

Jason Wu is sexy and chic this season.

Photo by Brian Killian/Getty Images North America 

Nobody does sexy vintage looks like Martin Keehn. 

Photo by George Chinsee/WWD.com

Gant Rugger's cute boys in preppy clothes. What's not to like?

Twinsies with bows at Mark + Estel. 

Loved this pretty little party dress from Suno.

All photos by Style.com unless otherwise stated. 

Insta Fashion Week Day 3: Who Partied Where

September 6, 2014, 9:00 am

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(via Instagram)

Tori Spelling -- whoops, we mean Lady Gaga -- chilled with Donatella and Allegra Versace at Harper's Bazaar's "ICONS" party at The Plaza Hotel.

(via Instagram)

Nicki Minaj concentrates very, very hard as she leaves The Plaza after Harper's Bazaar's 'ICONS' party.

(via Instagram)

Pharrell leads a troupe of models -- and gives A+ face -- during the presentation 'Raw For the Oceans,' his collaboration with G-Star and Bionic Yarn.

(via Instagram)

Alexa Chung gets rid of her bangs -- and does a Vulcan hand salute? -- with Brooke Shields at Harper's Bazaar's 'ICONS' party.

(via Instagram)

Lil' Kim owns the night with a performance at MADE Fashion Week and Duh Friday's party at Up&Down.

(via Instagram)

The Knocks chill at the Tribeca Grand at the 'This Is New York' party featuring DJ sets from James Murphy and Nancy Whang.

(via Instagram)

Jesse Metcalf, Cara Santana, Margarita Levieva and Sebastian Stan make a cute foursome at Esquire's party.

(via Instagram)

Daria Strokus channels her inner gearhead for Derek Blasberg.

(via Instagram)

The Man Repeller snapped Dustin Yellin and his iced coffee cup strutting down Misha Nonoo's runway. He really shows off the elegant draping on Nonoo's skirt, no, nooo? (Sorry. That was too easy.)

(via Instagram)

Bryanboy and The Bag Snob's Tina Craig chill with Nicki Hilton at the launch of her book, 365 Style.

Scoop: All the Deets About Alexander Wang's Top Secret NYFW Party

September 7, 2014, 2:30 am

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(Photo of Alexander Wang by Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com; Photo of Miley Cyrus by Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com)

He may have moved his show back to Manhattan this year but Alexander Wang is still reppin' Brooklyn.

After days of mostly aimless speculation and gossip about Alexander Wang's party and the general -- if unfortunate -- consensus that he wasn't throwing down this year, the designer surprised us all by hosting a super secret after-party in an East Williamsburg warehouse. In the words of Stefon, this party had everything: a topless Miley Cyrus, a performance by Tyga and a guestlist that included Kendall Jenner, Paper Beautiful Person Gigi Hadid, model Hanne Gaby, Brad Goreski and other assorted club cuties.

The party was the brainchild of nightlife powerhouses -- and Friends of Paper -- Ladyfag and Seva Granik who, you might remember, also co-hosted Wang's big 'Harajuku Mall'-themed party one year ago. The party had originally been billed as one of the couple's 'Lowbrow Despicable' warehouse ragers and no one -- not even the DJs on the bill -- were totally aware of the Alexander Wang affiliation until two massive party buses arrived on the scene around 12:30am, delivering the designer and his posse. They were all wearing (or carrying) plastic animal masks.

Once inside the warehouse, DJs Mess Kid, Uniiqu3 and Michael Magnan kept the party vibes going, only to be interrupted by Ladyfag giving props to Wang and, later, a wild performance by Tyga who got even the most blasé cool kids chanting along to "Rack City."

But, not surprisingly, Miley took the night.

For starters, she was topless (and wearing pasties). And chain-smoking weed. And twerking. Damn, the girl is ALWAYS on brand. Props, Miley -- keep doing you.

At one point, DJ Uniiqu3 put on Migos' "Hannah Montana" and "Hannah Montana" herself writhed and smoked and smoked and writhed onstage while a sweaty sea of twentysomething fashion punks stood transfixed. The girl was basically doing nothing and yet most of the warehouse stood rapt as if we were watching a concert.

As bleary-eyed kids (and this editor) began to exit the warehouse around 4am, the party raged on and, we might add, set a very high bar for the rest of fashion week.

Our Favorite Looks from NYFW: Day 3

September 7, 2014, 8:18 am

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Just like clockwork, fashion week is back and each morning we'll be rounding up a selection of Spring 2015 looks that wowed us on the runway the day before. See below for today's top picks. 

Only the Baja East boys could make metallic silver pants look like perfectly appropriate jet set attire. 

Tibi's gotten so cool and sophisticated as she's grown up. Loved this shoulder-exposing tunic. 

Alexander Wang's cheeky take on the Adidas Sam Smith tennis shoe in white and green leather looks was too good. 

We love how Dion Lee's transitioning his sexy body-con aesthetic. This loose tube dress looks like a painting but the red choker up it's the bondage quotient. 

Prabal Gurung's breezy silhouettes covered in ostrich feathers made us want to fly away.   

The Angolan designer presentation Projecto Mental was a fabulous mix of proportion, color and texture. 

We were absolutely gaga over the gingham numbers from Altuzzara's collection. This sweet blue dress is so sexy French farm girl. 

Photos courtesy of Style.com