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Jan 23 2009 01:00 PM ET

Kanye West’s Louis Vuitton Sneakers Make Their Runway Debut in Paris

Courtesy Louis Vuitton

Kanye West has officially turned sneaker designer. The hip-hop star and self-proclaimed Louis Vuitton Don turned his love of sneakers — he has over 400 pairs! — into a high-end collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Out of the five styles he’s created for the iconic brand, a style with a quilted back debuted during the line’s fall menswear presentation in Paris yesterday. After the show, WWD caught up with the new footwear designer to hear more. “I was inspired by the movie Dune. The collection had all these jackets that were very padded. They looked like maybe they had hockey pads in the jacket, and there was one where the collar came up really high. I took that element, and I put that on the back of the shoe. It’s like the opposite of the tongue. Usually you have the tongue at the front. [This is] like a tongue at the back,” explained Kanye. Working with Marc Jacobs, Kanye’s favorite designer whom he dubs the Jay-Z of the fashion world, was a blessing. “To me, Louis Vuitton is the most important brand in fashion. I am proud to have collaborated with LV on these shoes and even more proud of the finished product,” the artist says in a statement. On the flip side, Marc Jacobs tells WWD that he was impressed by Kanye’s dedication to his work, saying “I think Kanye goes to the office more than I do. He’s really, really into sneakers.” The complete Kanye West collection will be available at Louis Vuitton stores in June 2009. Tell us: What do you think of Kanye’s design?

Jan 23 2009 10:54 AM ET

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EXCLUSIVE: Audrina Patridge’s Divine Rights of Denim Ad

courtesy Divine Rights of Denim

She might not be launching her own eponymous line like her Hills costar Lauren Conrad, but Audrina Patridge is making a mark in the fashion world by striking a pose for Divine Rights of Denim. The reality star is the face of the line’s Spring/Summer ’09 ads — which she also helped merchandise and style. Audrina’s ads will be hitting magazines starting in March issues, but we’re bringing you this exclusive image — just for PEOPLE.com readers. Divine Rights of Denim is already a star-favorite brand, with everyone from Audrina and Lauren to Jessica Alba having been spotted in the label. But with prices mostly under $100, the jeans are also a possibility for the non-celebs among us. Shop the line and check out other celebrities in Divine Rights of Denim at ardenb.com. Tell us: What do you think of Audrina’s ad?

Jan 22 2009 03:11 PM ET

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SNEAK PEEK: Scarlett Johansson for Dolce & Gabbana The Make Up

Courtesy Dolce & Gabbana

As excited as we were to hear that Dolce & Gabbana is launching a fabulous new makeup collection, we were even more excited to hear that Scarlett Johansson would be the face of the campaign. The blonde beauty was shot by Solve Sundsbo in London, in a series of shots meant to evoke Marilyn Monroe’s iconic beauty. And we’ve got an exclusive ad image just for PEOPLE.com readers to preview! Tell us: What do you think of Scarlett’s new ad?

Jan 21 2009 04:57 PM ET

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Serena Williams’s New Game: Face of Mission Skincare

Gustavo Caballero/Getty

She’s already a superstar on the tennis courts, and now Olympic gold winner Serena Williams has a new game going, starring as the face and co-founder of athletic beauty brand Mission Skincare. The world’s second-ranking women’s player reveals that her decision to join entrepreneur Josh Shaw in the enterprise was born out of a gap she saw in the market. “I’ve always been disappointed with the lack of skincare products that can keep up with the demands athletes place on their skin,” Williams says. “When I learned about Mission and their focus on innovative skincare solutions for everyone with an active lifestyle, I knew I could have an impact on the company.” The brand’s six-product starting line-up of practical skincare options, including an SPF 30 Facestick, Lip Protector, and Anti-Friction Cream, are designed to be irritant- and animal-cruelty-free. Tell us: Will you check out Serena’s new products?

Jan 21 2009 02:02 PM ET

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New Fragrance Alert: Leona Lewis to Launch Signature Scent

Richard Young/Startraks

Move over Britney, Posh, J.Lo and Paris — Leona Lewis is about to be the next star to launch a celebrity fragrance. The British singer’s reps confirm to PEOPLE.com that she has been working in partnership with German beauty brand LR to develop a signature scent, getting involved at every level, from choosing the scent’s notes to working on the design of the bottle and packaging. While the fragrance is slated to launch in Europe and Asia in the summer of 2009, there’s no word yet whether it will make it across the Atlantic. Tell us: What do you think of Leona’s decision to launch a signature scent? Will you try it out if it hits U.S. stores?

Jan 21 2009 01:37 PM ET

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The Scoop on Michelle Obama’s Inaugural Gown and Jewels

Reuters /Landov

Designers from Kai Milla, Marc Bouwer, Reem Acra (who dressed Jill Biden for the big night) and Isabel Toledo, whom she wore to the Inauguration, all sketched potential options for the new First Lady, and the fashion world waited to see her choice with bated breath. Turns out that Michelle chose a one-shouldered silk chiffon Jason Wu number covered in organza flowers and Swarovski cyrstals — and no one was more surprised than the designer himself, who learned of Michelle’s choice with the rest of the world. “I was in awe when I saw her. I was emotional, I was amazed,” Wu tells PEOPLE. The N.Y.C.-based 26-year-old designer, who along with four friends sewed the countless number of flowers onto the dress by hand, says “I wanted the dress to reflect hope, fantasy, a dream [because] this is a pretty surreal moment we’re living in.” As for the color, Wu told Meredith Veira on the Today Show, “I wanted to design a gown that would highlight her best features.” To accent the feminine gown, Michelle chose diamonds from Loree Rodkin, who says “The First Lady is a symbol of hope, courage and great style. Words can not describe the emotions I feel that Michelle Obama has allowed me to be a part of this glorious moment.” From her line, Michelle chose 60-carat white gold and triple rose cut diamond drop earrings, a 10 carat center stone white gold and black rhodium rose cut diamond ring and white gold and diamond bangles, which will become part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum. Check out all of Michelle’s stylish choices from the historic weekend.

Jan 20 2009 05:03 PM ET

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Would You Wear a Wig To Change Up Your Look?

Clark Samuels/startraks

Everyone feels the need to shake up their look now and then. Selena Gomez skipped the dye, but donned a bright platinum wig for a recent photo shoot in Los Angeles. And why not? All the change, without any of the commitment. Now that we’ve seen celebs try out the look, maybe it’s something we should consider. Tell us: