Archive: January, 2009

Courtesy Mattel

What little girl didn’t dream of living in Barbie’s dream house as an adult? Our taste may have changed since we were little, but so has Barbie’s! The icon, who turns 50 years-old this year, is moving to Malibu and none other than Top Design judge Jonathan Adler is shaping the interiors. The interior design star will be updating Barbie’s bedroom, living room, and, of course, her drool-worthy closet, in an actual Malibu beach house, which will serve as the backdrop to the doll’s 50th blowout bash on March 9. And for those of us who still love playing house, Barbie and Adler will be launching a “Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie” collection in the fall of 2009, including designer pottery, pillows, decorative objects. Don’t forget the Jonanthan Adler-designed Barbie that comes with her own matching furniture!

courtesy of Hurley

Bar Rafaeli may be best known as Leonardo DiCaprio’s on- and off-girlfriend, but she’s sure to get people buzzing with her sexy new ad campaign for Hurley. Rafaeli says of the experience, “I had a blast at the shoot! It hardly felt like work! Yu Tsai is an amazing photographer and I am trust him completely to make beautiful pictures…Between the concept, photographer and the Hurley clothes, it was a match made in heaven.” We agree! Check out the results of the shoot with the final ad above, then watch as Bar takes you behind the scenes of her campaign below as part of MySpace Celebrity. Tell us: What do you think of Bar’s new Hurley campaign?

Jason Reed/Reuters/Landov

Michelle Obama’s now-famous Jason Wu gown isn’t the only piece of Inaugural fashion that is headed for the Smithsonian. The museum is also requesting the now-iconic hat that Aretha Franklin wore while singing at the swearing-in. Aretha, however, is still undecided about parting with her Luke Song-designed hat. “I am considering it. It would be hard to part with my chapeau since it was such a crowning moment in history,” says the Queen of Soul. “I would like to smile every time I look back at it and remember what a great moment it was in American and African-American history. Ten cheers for President Obama.” Aretha’s hat has already inspired a line of toppers, recreating her custom version in different colors and bow size. If Franklin decides to donate the hat to the museum, it will become part of an exhibit of President Obama’s Inaugural display along with Michelle’s gown. Tell us: Would you like to see Aretha’s hat in the Smithsonian?

Evan Agostini/AP

Move over Taylor Swift, an unlikely country star is ready to join you among the fashionistas. Toby Keith, known more for his burly persona than his sartorial taste, will launch his TK Steelman clothing line of casual duds for average dudes in February. The line, which Keith plans to market to Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and Macy’s, will feature long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jeans, cowboy hats, baseball caps, bandanas, belts, leather wrist straps and will target men aged 25 to 54. A press release describes the clothing as “part rocker and part biker with a ‘country sexy’ aesthetic”. The line will offer several types of sleeveless shirts, the singer’s signature style, by special request of Keith, who for years has torn the sleeves off his own shirts. In another nod to the star’s background, the brand will feature oilfield imagery on the logo and font selections, a nod to Keith’s pre-fame days working in the oilfields of Oklahoma. Keith will launch his line on Feb. 18 at his restaurant “I Love This Bar & Grill” in Harrah’s Las Vegas. Tell us: WIll your guy wear Toby’s line?–Eileen Finan

courtesy Special Artists

We’ve got the exclusive on the newest face of Neutrogena. Californication star Natascha McElhone, 37, will make her debut next month as the company’s brand ambassador for its facial moisturizers and treatments. “Neutrogena appeals to me because it’s unpretentious and pure,” says McElhone, a mother of three boys who was widowed last May when her surgeon husband died of a heart condition only five months before she gave birth to son Rex. “Right now with a newborn and with my two other sons adjusting and adapting to this new life, I have to be honest, there really isn’t much time for myself,” says the English actress. “I don’t have a particular [beauty routine] because I don’t really have time for one. Which is why products like Neutrogena are essential.” McElhone — who joins other Neutrogena spokeswomen including Diane Lane, Jennifer Garner, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere and Susie Castillo — will kick off her role in a February ad campaign for its new Ageless Essentials Continuous Hydration product line. — Marisa Laudadio

courtesy Peggy Sirota/L.E.I

As if selling millions of albums isn’t enough, Taylor Swift has teamed up with teen favorite L.E.I. to produce a line of sundresses for Walmart. “I love dresses,” Taylor tells PEOPLE. “And I have always had this dream to make an affordable sundress line.” Taylor first teamed up with L.E.I. last year to star in their denim campaign, and now the Walmart brand will be releasing her dresses on February 1st. The singer, who will also star in the ads, looked to her own life for inspiration when it came to design. “I started brainstorming what I would wear this summer, on tour or hanging out at festivals when its hot outside,” Taylor says. The result: a collection of lightweight jersey dresses in bold colors and girly prints for just $14. “I was totally adamant that I wanted [the dresses] to be affordable. With my headlining tour, we are offering $20 tickets everywhere we go and I wanted to approach the sundress line in the same way,” says Taylor. “To have cute dresses under $20 is something I am really proud of.” Though the star prefers more comfortable fashions, she does love designer gowns for the red carpet. “My absolute favorite is the dress that I wore to the CMAs this year. It was the Kaufman Franco glittery one,” Taylor recalls of the dress that landed her on best dressed lists everywhere. “I love dresses that sparkle and that was the epitome of sparkly — it was like a walking mirror.” Before gearing up for her tour, the singer will be hitting the Grammy Awards on February 6th and while she doesn’t have her dress picked out yet, she does have a designer in mind, “It has always been my dream to wear an Oscar de la Renta gown. So someday in my life I will wear one.” Oscar, are you listening? Tell us: Will you pick up one of Taylor’s dresses?