ANTM News: Miss Jay to release new book on Poise and Presence

America's Next Top Model judge and walking coach J. Alexander (Miss J to the fans) has sold a book, Follow the Model: Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power, to Simon Spotlight Entertainment, to be edited by Patrick Price (Mr. Price was also responsible for the seminal He's Just Not That Into You, not to mention the Lance Bass biography Out of Sync).

The book promises to include "inspiring advice, life lessons, and self-esteem coaching for all women," punctuated by Mr. Alexander's "colorful anecdotes."

Watch for the book to launch when his new reality show - Operation Fabulous debuts.

Hayden Panetierre designs handbags for Dooney & Bourke

Hayden Panettiere, who is Dooney & Bourke’s spokesmodel, has teamed up with the label’s designer Peter Dooney to create the perfect bag for Spring 09.

Named after the star herself, the “Hayden Clutch” is made from Italian calfskin and fastened with a 24 carat gold plated lion head, inspired by her astrological sign the Leo.

According to PEOPLE, who caught up the new handbag designer who told them she was part of the design process from the initial drawing to the lion’s head clasp. “Instead of putting my name on it, I put a lions head on it. It’s a way of representing me,” says Hayden.

The clutch shape was also her idea. “I asked if I could design a clutch because it’s something that I’ve familiar with because I carry them around all of the time.”

The bag will come in a variety of colors including blue, red, black, white, brown, hot pink (Hayden’s favorite) and purple.

The Hayden Clutch, $295, will hit Dooney & Bourke stores nationwide in December.

What do you think,? Are her bags going to be a bestseller?

Chanel Iman studded Lou-boots...

Send a whole new message in studded boots - biker-chic, sophisticated but definitely not understated. Chanel Iman recently did at an 11/08 Teen Vogue event. The Christian Louboutin Donjon boots (retail $2,350.00) above have long been sold out but you can get the same look in Cesare Paciotti's studded boots - $784.00 now $509.60 Available at zappos.com

or rock the same look in Giuseppe Zanotti.

Giuseppe Zanotti studded boots - priced at $1,024.00. Available at zappos.com

A lesser priced option are Beverly Feldmans - Selma (Black Suede/Gold) sudded boots priced at $239.96.

Chanel is making money.... literally making Money!

Karl Lagerfeld unveils a new five Euro coin at the Hotel de la Monnaie, the national mint responsible for making official coins and medals. Mr. Lagerfeld was commisoned to design the limited edition collection coins for the French Mint . The coin features Chanel’s signature quilted pattern on one side and the head of Coco Chanel on the other and was created to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Ms. Chanel’s birthday.

You know this is destined to be a huge collectors item on every side of the Atlantic and Pacific. Although the coins bear the stamp of Five Euros, they will retail for far more than that — the four gold or silver versions range in price from 45 Euros to 5,900 Euros and will go on sale at the French Mint on Dec. 1.

ANTM - Cycle 11 winner is......

....McKey. For once, we think they actually got it right. After a really dull ANTM season, you just could not trust Ms. Tyra. It was a shock to see Sam at the finale, Sam who looked like she was on her way to her afternoon shift at Cinnabon. As Nigel said, the two finalists looked "linebackerish".

If you missed it, watch it here.

ANTM Winner- McKey. Photo:courtesy CWTV

This one might actually get work, No?. Anway, it's time to start thinking of putting ANTM to rest.

B-o-r-i-n-g??? Anyone? Its beginning to feel like Survivor and the Apprentice. The only ones doing the surviving are the ones on the Island. Do you even care that they are still on?

A little Ruffle goes a long, long way

How do you jazz up a plain outfit? Like them initially or not, ruffled shoes eventually grow on you. The above Python Christian Loboutins (what else did you expect, Bruno Frisoni?) are available upon request. You can however, ruffle a few feathers immediately by wearing Prada's ruffled suede sandals below. Nothing could say sexy any more than these shoes can.








Fendi Satin Ruffle Wedge - Comfortable, sexy, sophisticated? How many times do all these features show up in one shoe? $565.00 now $339.00



Cute as Pie and as sophisticated as ever. Fendi Satin Ruffle Flat, even the price is great. Regularly $450.00, now $269.00. We love their price slashing.

Bruno Frisoni #H8P 900

These Bruno Frisoni beauties are available at www.saks.com and www.brunofrisoni.com

Steve Madden Women's Impereal T-Strap Ruffled Pump




Georgina Goodman Halle Open Toe Ruffle Pump



Got a few serious events, slip a pair of Ash Helen Ruffle Flats under pants or a suit for a little frivolity.

New York Fashion Week - Day 1 and 2 favourites

There is a new minimalism in fashion these days, thanks to the economy. Or is there?
Some designers interpreted the clothing in muted colors while some stayed uplifted in brighter colors. A lot of athletic inspired fashions on the runway, these first few days - a nod to the recent Olympics perhaps?

Some responded by adding immense amounts of fabric to the dresses - hoping to convince you that you were getting a lot of fabric for your money, perhaps?

The obvious question on the designers minds is likely to be how New York Fashion Week will translate into sales. The merchandise from this show hits stores when the economy is predicted to be at its lowest point.

This fact must not dampen their creativity but the recession is a hard fact for the designers to ignore with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the background.
BCBG however, opened up the show with muted colors and quite simple silhouettes.

No surprise as Lubov Azria counted Hillary Clinton as one of her inspirations for the collection. She also, once again no surprise counts the Olympians as heroes and inspiration for their line.

Very wearable as usual and It will be interesting to see what the other designers will be showing as the week moves along.
Alexander Wang showed a fair amount of color, great for Spring but how the Swarovski sweatpants will do in regular life is going to be rather interesting to see.

Karen Walker showed crisp, muted clothing, lots of great blue colors, but nothing that would make one reach for ones wallet.
Jose Ramon Reyes was a tad dissapointing. Last year, he showed great wearable pieces but this season, he opted for "cutesie" with bows, ties and epaulets. And large pockets and drawstrings.

He showed pants like I used to make in school, the ones with the simplest pattern of all, that pouf out at the hips. The kind you know you won't wear next year?

Far too much fabric on the dresses, and the chiffon cover ups? - Mind your reputation, Reyes.

Yigal Azrouel has so far been my favourite of the shows. Great easy,funky wearable pieces, even the bathing suits.

Now, here are some pieces that could be recession proof and can make you say - What recession? We'll buy the rest of the stuff from Target, we hear they are doing great stuff these days.

Carolina Herera, Isaac Mizrahi, Jill Stuart, Thakoon, Ports 1961,Marc Jacobs and others show today but the real fun is always to see who the next hottest designer is. The breakout star.

Kind of like American Idol, but in fashion.