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    August 24

    Kate Moss.........

                                 
    Kate Moss, bless her- has been uncharacteristically chatty lately. In the August Vogue She Who Never Opens Her Mouth (unless to hang a strand of David Yurman diamonds from it) "opens up" to Plum Sykes for her cover profile, and in the September Interview she "opens up" to Glenn O'Brien for her cover Q&A. We nearly threw out our backs when we realized Kate Moss talked to journalists enough for two back-to-back cover stories, but she has a reason for being so loquacious: She's promoting her imminent autumn/winter Topshop line. And if she can get the world to fall in love with Kate the Person, then the world will buy her clothes — a diabolical plan, indeed. Actually, we imagine Kate loathed this sucking-up-to-journalists exercise (we'd hate to suck up to us, too), so we decided to do her a favor and scientifically analyze which story presented her as a more likable human being. Herewith, The Kate Moss Likability Index:

    Kate Moss in Interview:
    • Kate tells Glenn O'Brien she freaked out when she met Bob Dylan: "We finally did shake. And then I fainted!" PLUS 2 because anyone can identify with the feeling of dying after meeting one of the world's icons. We barely made it out alive after we met Karl Lagerfield.
    • When Kate met Frank Sinatra at his 80th-birthday party, he cornered her and kissed her instead of, like, shaking her hand. "He was fabulous," Kate says. MINUS 1 because what twenty- or thirtysomething actually likes kissing an 80-year-old? Just because it was Frank Sinatra doesn't mean she has to pretend.
    • "All those Pucci numbers and things that I wore when I was 17 that I won't really wear … I'm saving them for [my daughter Lila] really … Now she's a fashion freak." PLUS 4 because we kind of want to be that cool of a mom.
    • "Lila says she's going to get married three times. She's going to have three husbands, and she knows exactly who they are." MINUS 3 because she should probably teach her kid that having three husbands would be a big fat mess instead of a good thing.
    • "Glenn O'Brien: …who's more diabolical, men or women?
    Kate Moss: Men, for sure!
    GO: Why?
    KM: 'Cause they're cunts!
    GO: Men are cunts?
    KM: Absolute bastards!" PLUS 6 because word.
    • "I had this amazing PA, and we used to pack together, and she got so used to what I wanted to pack that she got to point where she would just do it all — and perfectly. Now she's away having a baby, and I have completely forgotten how to do it … my suitcase is a mess if I do it myself." MINUS 4 because no one "forgets" how to fold clothes and put them in a suitcase.
    • "I'm bidding in an auction on one of James Brown's suits. It's ivory with gold epaulets and gold buttons. I met James Brown! I danced with him on the runway at one of Thierry Muggler's shows. He was singing "Sex Machine" and I was dancing in a ball gown, and he turned around and danced with me." PLUS 26. Do we even need to explain?
    • "GO: Envy?
    KM: Oh yeah, that's a sin. Definitely. I mean, I've never committed it, but it's bad." MINUS 12 because she says earlier she used to want to have Cindy Crawford's breasts and height. Don't lie to us, Kate.
    • On why she's hot past the age of 30: "I could talk when I was 20. I'm a lot better in the sack now." PLUS 6 for giving us twentysomethings something to look forward to.
    • "Corinne Day made me less conscious of myself. I was 15, and she'd make me take off my top, and I'd cry. After five years, you get used to it, and you're not self-conscious anymore." MINUS 7 because that's extraordinarily creepy.
    TOTAL: Plus 17 likability.


    Kate Moss in Vogue
    • Sykes writes, "The reason she won't do Botox is that if a photographer asked her to frown in a picture and she couldn't, she'd be 'really embarrassed.'" PLUS 5 because this is the age issue, after all, and their thirties icon should promote stuff like that.
    • When Sykes interviews Moss in Philip Green's office where she's about to have a meeting to talk about her Topshop line, "a leopard-print cotton trench coat that Vogue editor 'Candy Pratts Price gave me fifteen years ago' is thrown over the back of her chair." MINUS 2 for masturbatory Vogue prose.
    • Sykes writes, "Of course, being ahead of absolutely everyone is Kate's gift, and the product she is now selling." MINUS 3 for how utterly obnoxious that sentence is.
    • Says John Galliano, "She is a chameleon who captures the now like no one else I know." PLUS 1 because though it annoys us to all hell, that line is kind of amazing.
    • Sykes interviews Kate in her garden on a fur rug strewn with leopard-print pillows while she drinks white wine and smokes a cigarette. PLUS 6 because we wish we had a carpeted garden with throw pillows we could drink and smoke in. Also, PLUS 1 for drinking during the daytime interview.
    • "Kate rifled through a boxy white Chanel handbag lying on the rug, one of at least 100 Chanel purses she owns," writes Sykes. "She retrieved a heavy glass bottle filled with her pale-pink Kate perfume, which she sprayed on my wrist." MINUS 5 because no one carries their perfume around with them and sprays unsuspecting journalists with it.
    • Sykes writes, "Despite, or perhaps because of, an ensuing cocaine scandal, Kate has emerged as a more influential fashion icon than ever, the paradox being that while Moss on the one hand excited condemnation, those who disapprove of her still can't help being interested in her, or deny her talent with clothes." PLUS 2 for mentioning the cocaine thing, lest we ever forget.
    • Says Sir Phillip Green, "When she wants something, she calls me up and goes, 'Uncle Phil, Uncle Phil, please…'" PLUS 2 because it works and we would do the exact same thing.
    TOTAL: Plus 7

    And there you have it: No matter how many of the world's most famous designers Vogue gets to say nice stuff about a person, the more authentic Q&A presented in Interview is considerably more appealing (we'd argue that Plum Sykes's writing hurt Kate's score in this one, too). It doesn't hurt to look like you're on a mission to kick someone's ass in your cover shot either.

    I HATE CROCS

                             

     

    Here you see Raquel Zimmermann in a spread obtained by Gold Digger, which, the bloggers say, is part of the September French Vogue. N.B. her footwear: bright-orange Crocs. Why, upon your stars, indeed! As we said, we can't be certain this shot is a part of the issue, but if it is, would that be the first sign that Crocs are, gulp, just maybe okay to actually wear? Or is Raquel wearing them because she's standing in a room that could have sharp rusty screws on the ground and the stylist figured they may as well use them to protect her feet while preserving the atmosphere and making an ironic fashion statement? Where is Carine Roitfeld when there are so many questions to be answered?! We've got more photos from the actual spread after the jump, though nary another Croc in sight.
                              

    Gemma Ward

                            

    She can't retire! We're still loving her Autumn 2004 Yves Saint Laurent campaign!Photo: Courtesy of YSL

    Earlier this week reports surfaced that Gemma Ward, the baby-faced, blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty, would be retiring from modeling to pursue her blossoming acting career. But today we have news to the contrary, straight from the model herself.
    "I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I'm only 20, for God's sakes."

    Hear that? She's only 20. Let the girl have a break! Her agency, IMG, did confirm for us, however, that she will be taking off through the end of September, which means we won't be seeing her on the spring 2009 runways. That said, we'll be watching carefully to see where she plants herself for her modeling reappearance. It's bound to be something big.

    A few links


    Courtenay Semel is a busted up fame whore (NSFW ads) [Drunken Stepfather]
    Gwen Stefani is having her baby [Just Jared]
    Will Smith is gay [Popsugar]
    Eva Longoria is either pregnant or fat [Dlisted]
    Nicole Richie is jealous of Mary-Kate Olsen [Hollywood Rag]
    Jennifer Garner is still pregnant [Lainey Gossip]
    Danielle Lloyd is topless [Hollywood Tuna]
    Matthew McConaughey's surfing faux pas [City Rag]
    More Halle Berry in lingerie [Popoholic]
    Ugly ass Audrina Patridge in more stupid staged pictures [Egotastic]
    Charles Manson is Scatmanson [College Humor]
    Emily Parr forgot her panties (NSFW site) [Taxi Driver Movie]
    Verne Troyer is a dud [WIMB]

    August 09

    Monkey Magic

    Well done to the BBC for this.

    They were produced by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn and are so different from the norm. That’s a good different by the way as there are lot’s of moan’s from traditionalists about the titles. Good to see the normally staid BBC doing something different. Let’s hope the GB team can be as successful. More importantly, let’s hope China do a good job of hosting the games.

    Already there is doubts being cast on the full internet access that journalists were promised. Will they all stick to sport reporting or try and use this opportunity to report on what China really is like?

    On this day.. the BBC gives you



     

    London 2012

    HOW THE FUCK DO WE FOLLOW THE CHINESE WITH THAT MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW?

    EASY!

    Opening Ceremony

    The flame will be ignited by a petrol bomb thrown by a native of the area, in the traditional dress of balaclava and shell suit. The flame will be contained in a large overturned Police van situated on the roof of the stadium.

    The Events

    In previous Olympic Games, East London's competitors have not been particularly successful. In order to redress the balance, some of the events have been altered slightly to the advantage of local athletes.

    100 Metres Sprint

    Competitors will have to hold a DVD player and microwave oven (one in each arm) and on the sound of the starting pistol, a police dog will be released from a cage 10 metres behind the athletes.

    110 Metres Hurdles

    As above but with added obstacles (i.e. car bonnets, hedges, garden fences, walls etc)

    Hammer

    Competitors in this event may choose the type of hammer they wish to use (claw, sledge etc) the winner will be the one who can cause the most physical damage within three timed attempts.

    Fencing

    Entrants will be asked to dispose of as many stolen goods as possible in 5 minutes.

    Shooting

    A strong challenge is expected from local men in this event. The first target will be a moving police van. In the second round, competitors will aim at a post office clerk, bank teller or Securicor-style cash-in-transit guard. The traditional .22 rifle has been replaced in this event by a choice of either a Mac 10 or Sawn-off 12-bore shotgun.

    Boxing

    Entry to the boxing will be restricted to husband and wife teams, and will take place on a Friday night. The husband will be given 15 pints of lager while the wife will be told not to make him any tea when he gets home. The bout will then commence.

    Cycling Time Trials

    Competitors will be asked to break into the University bike shed and take an expensive mountain bike owned by some mummy's boy on his first trip away from home. All against the clock.


    Cycling Pursuit

    As above, but the bike will be owned by a visiting member of the Australian rugby team, who will witness the theft.

    Modern Pentathlon

    Amended to include mugging, breaking and entering, flashing, joyriding, arson and generally hanging around.

    Swimming Events

    All waterways are currently being tested for toxicity levels, once one is found that can support human life, swimming events will be organized. Please note that the Synchronized Swimming event for this year will comprise of dropping acid and watching all the funky ripples on the pool, the specific musical support to this event will be provided by "The Verve".

    The Marathon

    A safe route has yet to be decided.

    Men's 50km Walk

    Unfortunately this will have to be cancelled as the police cannot guarantee the safety of anyone walking the streets of East London, especially anyone that appears to be mincing.


    The Closing Ceremony

    Entertainment will include formation rave dancing by members of the Stratford Health in the Community anti-drug campaigners, synchronized rock throwing, and music by the Ilford community choir featuring the So Solid Crew.

    The flame will be extinguished by police riot water cannon following the inevitable pitch invasion by confused West Ham organised hooliganism club. The stadium itself will then be boarded up before the local athletes break into it and remove all the copper piping and the central heating boiler.

    The 2008 Beijing Olympics

                                       The 2008 Beijing Olympics

    FUCKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!

    JUST HOW THE BLOODY HELL DO WE FOLLOW THAT IN 2012??

    People literally from all over the world made videos talking about how spectacular the opening was. It's the one moment of the year when the entire planet is united... even if it's just watching the same show. I love that.

    In not so positive news, People Magazine is reporting that two Americans were attacked and one died by a crazed man with a knife.

    As the world was still catching its breath from Friday's spectacular Olympic ceremony opening, news surfaced from Beijing that on the first day of the competition Saturday, a knife-wielding Chinese man stabbed two relatives of a coach for the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball team at one of the city's tourist sites. One was killed and the other injured, according to team officials and state media. The assailant then killed himself by jumping from the second story of the site, a 13th century Drum Tower, the Associated Press reports.

    A few links for the bored ;-)

    Mena Suvari adopts a Trump hairstyle and immediately looks middle-aged. TMZ

    Victoria Beckham may have to use her vagina for the next child. IDLYITW

    Nicole Kidman admits her baby has ginger hair. Dlisted

    George Clooney auditioning two women for the role of 'next girlfriend'. Bild

    It's the 2008 Olympics and Playboy magazine are ready. Yeeeah

    Will Young is still alive, and grabbing his crotch. Popsugar

    Rumer Willis can wear what she wants, your eyes still go straight to that chin. Laineygossip

    Duffy pictured with a white substance on her nose, but she's no Winehouse. Celebwarship

    Windswept, featureless and arid. Paris Hilton would like her own Las Vegas club. ICYDK

    Barack Obama inspires Donatella Versace

    abc_versace_obama_080623_2.jpg
    From our menswear blog, Brandish, Jason Dike writes... The Barack Obama bandwagon grows by the second, with Donatella Versace dedicating her spring/summer 2009 collection to him. Versace stated that Obama's style is for "a relaxed man who doesn't need to flex muscles to show he has power." However, Obama will probably just thank Versace and move on, because he has already been slated for being a 'GQ candidate'.

    The thinking behind that slur is ridiculous, as it insinuates that spending time on your appearance has to be to the detriment of other characteristics. This also shows just how famous Obama is right now, with a world renowned designer using his name to garner some press attention.

    Paris Couture Week: Liv Tyler and Eva Mendes step out for Christian Dior show

                                               hautecouture_parislivtylerevamendes.jpg


    Paris Haute Couture Week kicked off yesterday with the Christian Dior show, which attracted a celeb crowd including Liv Tyler, Janet Jackson, Claudia Schiffer, and Eva Mendes. Fresh from promoting her latest films, Tyler brought along her little sister Chelsea Tyler, both choosing to wear black despite the summery hot conditions.

    Mendes, on the other hand, opted for a candy-coloured dress with jewel embellishment, and bubble skirt. The actress, revealed to WWD, that she has just wrapped from filming The Women, a modern remake of the 1939 film, directed by George Cukor.

    "I play Joan Crawford's character. It has a lot of fashion in it," she said.



    Paris Couture Week: Maria Sharapova, Riley Keough and Camilla Belle at Valentino

    valentino_sharapova_keough_belle.jpg

    Maria Sharapova might be kicking herself for getting, well, kicked out of Wimbledon so early in the piece. But that just means she gets to attend all the Paris Couture shows instead - you know silver lining and all that. Maybe she felt she needed to study up on her fashion know-how after her outfit was dissed by opponent Alla Kudryavtsev.

    At any rate, she managed to make her way to the Valentino show yesterday where she dazzled all in this remarkable coat and some pretty cute shoes. She was joined by fashion's one-to-watch (and Elvis' granddaughter) Riley Keough and actress Camilla Belle in quite possibly the prettiest dress ever*.

    New health rules may put models off....

    jourdandunn_stormagencynewrule.jpgStorm modelling agency founder, Sarah Doukas, has warned that the new health rules, as set out by the British Fashion Council's Model Health Inquiry, of which she is a panellist, could turn models off participating in London Fashion Week.

    Doukas has told the Sunday Telegraph that the Inquiry's new rule which asks models to offer doctors certificates "attesting their good health", may cause them unnecessary anxiety.