Archive: July 14th, 2008

Courtesy Parlux

Her new fragrance, Fancy, won’t be in stores for another month, but Jessica Simpson is giving PEOPLE.com readers a first look at her sexy new, Brigitte Bardot-inspired ad campaign. And while the images evoke the same sensuality as the iconic French actress and singer, the fragrance itself is pure California chic. “With Fancy, I wanted to create a pretty fragrance, one that I could be just as comfortable wearing on the red carpet or every day with my favorite jeans,” she says. And she couldn’t be happier with the results. “This is a special fragrance — personal, whimsical, playful and romantic. To me, Fancy is just that: fancy.” Tell us: What do you think of Jessica’s smoldering new ad? Will you buy her scent when it launches August 15th?

Evan Agostini/AP

At just 20 years old, Rihanna is one of the world’s most successful young singers, and yet again she’s using her fame to help those less fortunate. Gucci has just announced that the “Umbrella” chanteuse will be the face of an ad campaign that showcases their collaboration with children’s charity UNICEF. The ads, entitled Tattoo Heart, will feature the singer wearing limited-edition Gucci tattoo-heart-motif products, with 25% of sales being donated to the charity, WWD reports. It’s not the first time the singer has worked with UNICEF and Gucci. In February she performed at the design house’s star-studded Madonna-hosted fundraiser Raising Malawi, whose goals fit well with those of her own charity, The Believe Foundation, which she founded in 2006 to bring food and medicine to children in need.

Paul Drinkwater/NBC; Virginia Sherwood/NBC

While Barack Obama and John McCain hit the campaign trail to discuss the economy and the war in Iraq, their stylish wives stick close to their side — and get a little scrutiny of their own. While Michelle Obama sticks to her fun flipped hairdo, Cindy McCain changes it up a little more — appearing both with a classic French twist or a half-up, half-down shoulder-length do. We want to know which hairstyle you prefer on Mrs. Mcain. Up or down? Take our poll below to vote.

Suzan/EMPICS Entertainment/ABACA

Since her role as Carrie’s Louis-Vuitton-loving assistant Louise in Sex and the City, Jennifer Hudson has become almost as well know for her budding sense of style as her award-winning roles. And while she might have access to the world’s most exclusive designer gowns, like the Escada giraffe print number she wore at last week’s Keep a Child Alive charity event in London, the actress dished to PEOPLE about her British shopping secret — and it doesn’t require a high-end salary to afford. “My favorite place to go is Topshop. I love Topshop!” Husdon says of the multi-floor U.K. shopping emporium. But while Topshop’s prices might be on par with the affordable apparel at stores like H&M, that doesn’t mean Jennifer’s sprees are saving her any money. “I made myself sit in the room so I would not go [this trip]! I knew I would spend too much money.” How much does she usually drop? “Thousands! It’s a lot! Sometimes I want a cart because there are so many levels. How much room can one store need? That’s like my dream place!” And PEOPLE let Jennifer in on our own little Topshop secret: the store’s website delivers directly to the U.S. “Don’t tell me that!” she shouted. Then, after a pause, demanded, “What is it?!” Click here to get the latest Topshop fashions delivered right to your door. Or you can visit the New York City location when it opens in SoHo this fall.