Archive: September, 2008

INF

Sarah Jessica Parker made a subtle political — and fashion — statement while running around New York City yesterday in her Obama-inspired “Dare to Dream” tank. Her coveted tank is actually Zac Posen-designed and part of Barack Obama’s “Runway to Change” initiative. Posen isn’t the only designer to lend his talents to the campaign. Joining him in creating exclusive “Change” T-shirts, tanks and accessories are other top names like Nanette Lepore, Tory Burch, Russell Simmons, Vera Wang, Tracy Reese, Alexander Wang, Narciso Rodriguez, Beyonce and Tina Knowles for The House of Dereon and more. Your purchase of one of the Ts will count as a campaign contribution. Check out all the designs, at barackobama.com.

Evan Agostini/AP

We knew it was only a matter of time before this style-setter turned celebrity designer — after all, she’s already one of PEOPLE’s Best Dressed. While attending the Gucci Spring 2009 show in Milan, Rihanna, who has already done charity T-shirts with H&M and designed umbrellas for Totes, admitted to WWD that a clothing line is in the works, “I’m not one to rush into anything. I want to take my time. I can’t say when it will be released, but it’s definitely going to happen.” That’s good enough for us! With her girly spin on rock n’ roll style, we are sure Rihanna is gearing up to be the next Gwen Stefani. Tell us: Are you excited about Rihanna’s line?

Richard Young/startraks

With their new jewelry collection just hitting stores now, co-designers already have their sights set on another venture: shoes! Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have joined forces with Steve Madden Ltd. to create a line of footwear to add to their successful sportswear collection Elizabeth and James. “We are excited to partner with Steve Madden to create the new Elizabeth and James footwear line,” Mary-Kate says in a released statement. “With their proven experience in all aspects of design, production and distribution, we intend to take the contemporary shoe market to a new level.” Mary-Kate and Ashley will drive the creative direction of the Elizabeth and James shoe collection towards the sophisticated and chic woman they already cater to. “Mary-Kate and I found Steve Madden to truly understand our design philosophy, and how we want this brand to grow over the coming years,” Ashley told the press. “They have the resources and talent to help execute our vision for the Elizabeth and James brand.” The line is scheduled to hit high-end specialty retailers in mid-2009 and we cannot wait! Mary-Kate and Ashley have always had outrageous taste in shoes, from sky-high gladiator sandals to trendy peep-toe booties, so we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us. Pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE to hear what Mary-Kate and Ashley have to say about their jewelry collection.

Soul Brother/FilmMagic

He might be known as one of Hollywood’s more eccentric dressers, but David Arquette is about to launch a signature line of clothing that’s showing off a whole new side of himself. PEOPLE caught up with the new designer who dished about his clothing line Propr, produced in partnership with one of the founders of preppy favorite Penguin. As for which side of the preppy/eccentric divide Propr falls on, David says, “It isn’t conservative, but it wouldn’t be like what you’d expect out of me — crazy dresser. But, you know, it’s somewhat conservative clothing but it’s got a sort of vintage twist to it that you can sort of mix and match to sort of represent your own style.” So far Arquette has only shown off his wears during a sneak peek at N.Y.C. fashion week (attended by famous friends Jennifer Aniston and Laura Dern), but he’s planning a blow-out launch event in his native L.A. And what does his famous wife, Courteney Cox Arquette think about the designs? “She’s had tons of input,” he says. “We went into her closet, and [I] asked her about the clothes that she loves.” And then, proving that he’ll never completely abandon his flair for whimsy, he adds, “We found a spider in her closet and took a picture of it and put it on some shirts.”

SGP Italia/WireImage

With her period drama The Duchess heading into theaters, PEOPLE caught up with Keira Knightley in Toronto to get her take on her icon-like style. “Have I managed to get to fashion icon status?” asked a shocked Keira. The modest star admits that she likes getting dressed up, but that she is definitely more of a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl. When she takes on the red carpet, Keira believes in going all out. Among her favorite recent gowns is a pink Chanel number she wore to last year’s Venice Film Festival. “I took one look at it and said ‘That’s far too girly, I’m not wearing that,”" recalls the star. “[But, then] I put it on and went ‘Oooh, this is fantastic!’” Though Keira has made headlines in some of the most beautiful gowns ever, they aren’t hanging in her closet. “I’m like Cinderella, they all go back at the end of the night.” Even still, it’s not too shabby to rock Chanel for the night! Check out more from Keira, including her thoughts on corsets and those pesky weight rumors, in this week’s PEOPLE Magazine. – reporting by Lesley Messer

Goff/INF

She’s long been a source of inspiration of some of fashion’s top designers, and a new art exhibit in the heart of Paris is setting out to examine Kate Moss’s status as a modern-day muse. France’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs has announced plans for an exhibition dedicated entirely to British supermodel. Just yards from the Mona Lisa’s famous perch in the Louvre, the display will showcase Moss’s 19 years in the industry. Museum Director Beatrice Salmon explains the choice, saying that the museum intends to “decode the phenomenon” the supermodel has become. “This is an occasion to ask a certain number of experts in image and communications to explain why and how [Kate has] become someone the whole world knows.” As for just how involved Moss herself will be in the project, the Museum’s press officer Marie Laure Moreau says that “Kate Moss has agreed to cooperate, to collaborate on the exhibit. The show will concentrate on her life, her career — and be a celebration of her 19 years.” But will Moss be there to kick off the launch of the show, which will run from November 26, 2009 to April 25, 2010? Moreau adds laughingly, “We certainly hope so!” Tell us: Would do you think of the national museum’s choice to create an exhibit based on Kate?–Reporting by Peter Mikelbank

Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin

When we first heard that Claire Danes was crowned the new face of Gucci Jewelery, we were sure that her ads would be divine — and we were right! With her soft features and angelic blonde hair, the actress was a perfect choice for luxe line. We love how the bright jewels and metallic bands look so radiant against her soft skin and tousled hair. Claire’s Gucci ads will be gracing the pages of magazines this fall. Tell us: What do you think of the ads?