Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

Film legend, as well as fashion and beauty icon, Elizabeth Taylor passed away Wednesday at the age of 79. She was famous for films such as “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Cleopatra” and “Father of the Bride” and for the sultry glamour she radiated in her youth. As she grew older, she became known for her over-the-top looks. She was also the first celebrity to have a successful celebrity fragrance, White Diamonds.

Elizabeth Taylor

The CFDA nominations were announced last week. Alexander Wang, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs are the nominees for Womenswear Designer of the Year. Other honorees include Phoebe Philo of Céline, who is set to receive the International Award, and Lady Gaga, who will receive the Fashion Icon Award.

Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Lady Gaga, courtesy of NY Magazine

Designer drama! In the wake of the John Galliano’s dismissal from Dior following his anti-Semetic outburst in a Parisian restaurant, many of his fellow designers have been weighing in on the situation. Isaac Mizrahi didn’t hold back with his comments. “It can’t be tolerated,” Mizrahi told New York Magazine. “I never really liked what he did so much. I hope he doesn’t work again.”

Isaac Mizrahi, courtesy of NY Magazine

In the aftermath of the devastation in Japan, the fashion world has been working to provide aid to the suffering: Uniqlo donated $17 million in aid and another $8.6 million in clothes to the relief effort, and also set up clothing donation bins in some of their stores; designers like Tory Burch and Kate Spade have created merchandise that will have 100% of their profits going to Japan; and Forever 21 donated 100% of their sales on January 18 to the relief effort.

Tadashi Yanai, founder and president of Fast Retailing, which owns Uniqlo, courtesy of Forbes.com

Check out this gorgeous commercial for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, starring Keira Knightley.

-Julie Kosin