Ines de la Fressange: putting the Paris back in L'Oreal

In recent years, models in their thirties and forties have been an increasingly common sight on billboards and catwalks. But at 53, Ines de la Fressange stands out even among this older bunch. The former Chanel model, who began her career in 1975, is joining L'Oreal's as the company's new "Paris Ambassadress".

An icon in her native France, de la Fressange has been a muse for both Karl Lagerfeld and Thierry Mugler, and in 1989 her likeness was used for a bust of Marianne, a French national symbol. More recently, she has turned her hand to design, creating her own label and helping to relaunch French footwear brand Roger Vivier.

As a spokesmodel for L'Oreal, she joins a diverse, but highly selective, group which includes Milla Jovovich, Beyonce Knowles, Diane Keaton and Eva Longoria.

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Boundless beauties

Ines de la Fressange, 53, on the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier in 2009.

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Last year the ultimate Parisienne wrote a short book about how to embody French style; L'Oreal's Global Brand President, Cyril Chapuy says that he is "delighted that she is bringing that irresistible 'je ne sais quoi' to the brand." No wonder: last year de la Fressange insisted that her return to the Chanel catwalk was a one-off. "This is not my job anymore," she told reporters.

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Galliano who?

Dior airbrushes disgraced Galliano out of its history

AT Christian Dior, the disgraced British couturier John Galliano has been restyled as the man with no name, the man who never existed.

Galliano has been airbrushed out of Dior history to remove an ugly stain from the glittering reputation of the world-renowned French fashion house.

As Christian Dior held its annual meeting in the Louvre yesterday, executives deployed extraordinary linguistic talents to avoid all mention of the designer, who was its figurehead until last month.

Take, for instance, Florian Ollivier, the chief financial officer, who skipped over the inebriated rants that led to Galliano's dismissal as he delivered an upbeat presentation of record sales and an even better outlook.

Dior was known for its "formidable creative capacity", he said in a speech that came after shareholders were shown a film featuring its fashion shows, with Galliano's celebrated end-of-show appearances left on the cutting-room floor.

Sidney Toledano, the chief executive, did even better as he managed to answer a question on the company's response to the couturier's fall without actually pronouncing the dreaded G-word.

Asked by a shareholder how the group had dealt with "the massacre of its reputation", Mr Toledano referred to the accusations of anti-Semitism made against Galliano as "The Crisis" and said Dior followed public reaction on an hour-by-hour basis.

There was a moment of toe-curling embarrassment when another shareholder broke the taboo to pay homage to Galliano's final collection for Dior, unveiled at Paris Fashion Week a few days after his sacking.

She asked who would replace him as head designer.

Bernard Arnault, the chairman, said that he and Mr Toledano were sifting through a list of candidates following the "unpredictable and regrettable events" - which was another way of describing Galliano's sacking without having to mention his name.

No decision had been made on his successor, it was reported, although that did not mean Dior would be absent from this year's shows.

Collections were being designed internally, said Mr Toledano, and "there will be no blanks".

He did nothing to play down suggestions in Paris fashion circles that Dior might not name a new head designer until later this year.

Given the group's failure to notice Galliano's descent into drink, it is determined to run thorough checks on whoever steps into his shoes.

According to the Parisian rumour mill, Riccardo Tisci, the creative director at Givenchy, a brand owned by Mr Arnault's LVMH luxury goods group, is among the contenders.

So are Phoebe Philo, creative director at Celine, another LVMH brand, and Peter Copping, creative director at Nina Ricci. Both are British.

Dior, which holds 42 per cent of LVMH, reported sales of €21.1 billion ($29bn) for last year, up from €17.7bn in 2009. Profit increased by 29 per cent to €4.3bn and free cash flow reached €3bn. It was, said Mr Arnault, a "remarkable performance".

the whole on http://tinyurl.com/3ugorpv

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Britney Spears Is 'True To Herself

Dolce & Gabbana Say

The famous design team talk about dressing the pop star for her Femme Fatale photos and appearances.

It seems like a natural fit for sex kitten Britney Spears to don sexy couture by Dolce & Gabbana. So when the Femme Fatale singer needed to make sure she was at her sexiest in promotional photos for the album, she called upon the legendary design duo.

Britney Spears

Photo: C. Flanigan/ WireImage

"We love Britney and we love to dance to her new songs!" Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the design team behind D&G, told U.K.'s Telegraphabout the pop star. "We can't wait to hear the whole album!"

In photos, Spears looks hot sporting three designs by the duo. In one photo, she rocks a polka-dot body suit with platform peep-toe heels.

In another shot, Spears sits on a bathroom cabinet, gazing into a mirror, while looking glamorous in a buttery gown made of a silk bustier and matching chiffon skirt. She pairs the look with tie-up platforms. In final image, Spears wears black spandex hot pants with an untied black silk bustier.

"She has always been among our favorite artists because she has been able to remain true to herself and to her style throughout the years," the designers added. "With her music she influenced and inspired generations of people for more than 10 years, always staying at the top, and we can't but congratulate her for this new, important achievement."

Spears has been hitting the stage in similar body-hugging designs. From her glowing bodysuit to her sequined one, both of which she wore at her recent Las Vegas nightclub gig, Spears has certainly been stepping up her glamour game during the Femme Fatale era.

D&G recently hooked up with another pop siren for her wardrobe: The pair is creating styles for Kylie Minogue to wear on her Les Folies tour. The designers expressed a similar sentiment about working with the Aussie pop star on her looks.

"Working with Kylie has always been very spontaneous and easy," the pairsaid in a statement. "We are given free rein to create because she trusts that we know exactly what she likes."

read the whole on http://tinyurl.com/47256me

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Look for the w/e: Blake Lively Is Sweet and Summery in a D&G Mini Skirt

Actress Blake Lively arrives at a Warner Bros. Pictures presentation to promote her new film, "Green Lantern" at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, March 31, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Getty Images North America)more pics »Blake Lively Mini SkirtBlake Lively wore a sweet, summery mini skirt with a laced hem for CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The Dolce & Gabbana ensemble was perfect for the starlet.

Blake wore suede booties. Her hair was worn half up in loose waves.

We've spotted other celebrities with a similar look, including Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Olivia Palermo. Check out all 164 pictures in the Mini Skirt Lookbook.

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Look of the w/e: Miranda Kerr Sizzles in YSL Pumps

Victoria's Secret angel Miranda Kerr arrives at the 2011 Victoria's Secret SWIM Collection Pink Carpet Event hosted by VS Angels at Club L on March 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images North America)more pics »Miranda Kerr Miranda Kerr sizzled in sultry black patent Tribute peep toes. The Yves Saint Laurent heels were the perfect choice for a sultry red zip up dress.

Miranda wore her red cocktail dress for the Victoria's Secret SWIM collection launch in LA. It's hard to believe she only recently gave birth!

We've spotted other celebrities with similar heels, including Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Leighton Meester. Check out all 1084 pictures in the Platform Pumps Lookbook.

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