Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

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

The scandal of the week comes courtesy of J.Crew creative director, Jenna Lyons. A feature in the latest J. Crew catalogue and on the brand’s online store titled “Saturday with Jenna” shows Lyons painting her 3-year-old son Beckett’s toenails bright pink. Lyons was attacked by psychiatrist and Fox News contributor Dr. Keith Ablow posted in an editorial on Fox News’ website, “This is a dramatic example of the way that our culture is being encouraged to abandon all trappings of gender identity.” Meanwhile, Erin Brown of the Media Research Center, called the picture “blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children.” You decide for yourself. [HuffPo, Fox News]

The feature from J. Crew’s website, courtesy of J. Crew

Last week, we told you that Christophe Decarnin has left Balmain. This week, rumor has it that an unknown will replace Decarnin at the legendary house. British Elle, who spoke with a source from the house, reported they plan on choosing an unknown, just like Decarnin was before he started there. “The owners want to support lesser-known design talent,” the source said. An announcement will be made “in the next two or three days.” [Fashionista]

Christophe Decarnin, courtesy of bluefly.com

Christian Louboutin is suing Yves Saint Lauren over a pair of red shoes created with matching red soles. Louboutin maintains that red-soled shoes have been a trademark of the company since 1992, according to the lawsuit, the New York Daily News reports.

A pair of Louboutins, courtesy of NY Daily News and Getty Images

The YSL shoe in question, courtesy of Fashionista and bluefly.com

The Advertising Standards Authority has approved a Miu Miu ad from the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign that came under fire in the UK when some believed the model portrayed to be too thin. The ad shows 23-year-old Polish model, Kasia Struss, sitting in a chair in a low-cut dress with dramatic lighting. [The Telegraph]

The Miu Miu ad in question, courtesy of Huffington Post

Lady Gaga is the cover girl for the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar, and she’s featured wearing the same face and shoulder prosthetics she debuted at the Grammy Awards in February. Naturally, Derek Blasberg asked her about them while interviewing her, and naturally, Gaga insists that they’re natural. “They’re not prosthetics, they’re bones,” she said. “They've always been inside of me, but I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am. They come out when I'm inspired. [Harper’s Bazaar]

Lady Gaga’s Harper’s Bazaar cover and an image from the shoot, courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar and New York Magazine

-Julie Kosin

Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

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

After Christophe Decarnin’s bizarre absence from his Autumn/Winter 2011 show for Balmain fueled rumors of a drug addiction and a stint in a mental hospital, Balmain announced in a press release on Wednesday that he has left the label, according to the New York Times. A Fashionista article speculates that he will probably be replaced by Melanie Ward, who worked for Helmut Lang and replaced Emmanuel Alt at Balmain three weeks before the Autumn/Winter 2011 show.

Christophe Decarnin, courtesy of Interview Magazine via The Blay Report

Carine Roitfeld is adding another freelancing job to her list: styling the Chanel fall campaign. She styled model, Freja Beha Erichsen, for a shoot photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Carine Roitfeld, courtesy of New York Magazine

American Apparel is in deep trouble. Aside from the numerous allegations of sexual abuse surrounding company CEO Dov Charney, it also seems as though the company is having financial problems. According to the New York Post, the company lost $86 million last year and might have to file for bankruptcy, according to PE Hub. But Charney told the Post, “This is going to be a year of renewal for American Apparel.”

Dov Charney, courtest of Getty Images via New York Magazine

Dani Stahl, style director at Nylon is stepping down from this role for an at-large position at the magazine so she can have time to work on some of her other projects, which include working as a stylist and designing for jewelry line, Lia Sophia, according to the New York Post.

Dani Stahl, courtesy of WireImage

In magazine news of the week, Style.com, which is owned by Condé Nast, is set to launch a print magazine to accompany its website. The first magazine will be released sometime in October, according to Fashionista.

Style.com screenshot, courtesy of Styleite

If you have an extra $3,300 laying around, why not invest it in Jane Birkin’s very own used Hermès Birkin bag? The bag is currently being offered on eBay, and proceeds from the auction will benefit Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

Jane Birkin’s namesake bag, courtesy of eBay

-Julie Kosin