Archive: August 29th, 2008

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Being in front movie cameras isn’t exactly new to iconic designer Valentino — he did have a cameo in The Devil Wears Prada, after all — but with a new documentary that’s all about him, the taste-maker is now the star of the show. And at last night’s premiere of Valentino: The Last Emperor at Venice’s Teatro La Fenice, his roster of superstar fans, including Diane Kruger, Elizabeth Hurley, Claire Danes and Natalia Vodianova, all turned out. Kruger, wearing a beige Valentino gown the designer had chosen especially for her, told PEOPLE: “I found it really emotional to see. You know, he’s one of the last greats.” And supermodel Vodianova was equally impressed: “I thought the film was so funny — Valentino’s really like that. He didn’t act different for the cameras.” As for the man himself, Valentino told PEOPLE, a bit ruefully, “I said a few things maybe I shouldn’t have said, but I’m happy.” And he certainly looked it at the premiere’s after-party at the Peggy Guggenheim museum, holding court on a candlelit rooftop terrace surrounded by VIP guests like Charlize Theron, Tilda Swinton and model Eva Herzigova who declared the night a success, telling us, “Valentino throws a great party.” –Reporting by Courtney Rubin

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Since she arrived in N.Y.C. for her Broadway role in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, Katie Holmes has cast off her red-carpet finery for her own brand of downtown cool, rocking just about every jean trend out there — from baggy rolled “boyfriend” jeans, to super skinnies, to a retro high-waisted, wide-legged style. Tell us: Which one of her new casual looks is your favorite?

Harper Collins; George Napolitano/FilmMagic

Project Runway judge and Marie Claire editor Nina Garcia gives the fashion world another treat with her witty second book The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own. The new book is an A-Z list of fashion’s essential must-haves: those items that have stood the test of time, surviving fads and fashion-cycles — including everything from Converse sneakers to fishnet tights. At this week’s Sak’s Fifth Avenue book signing Nina told PEOPLE that of all the one hundred items, women should “splurge on a pair of shoes. It is one of those things you can’t fake. You can’t look well dressed without a nice pair of shoes, it is impossible.” And with all the trends out there — especially in denim — Nina advises to go for what works for you and not worry about what’s the newest thing. So what’s her take on the new “boyfriend” jean? “I am all for borrowing and stealing from the husband or boyfriend, so I like it.” As fall approaches, Nina tells us the season’s must-have will be the little black dress. “The little black dress took center stage at the collections. It started with the Balenciaga show. His first look down the runway was a black dangerously sexy dress,” says the editor. “If you don’t have a black dress, now is the time to find it — they are going to be everywhere at every price point.” Get more fashion advice from Nina in her new book, $22, available at amazon.com. Take a virtual tour of The One Hundred now and check out some of the book’s fabulous illustrations by Ruben Toledo at harpercollins.com.