While many retailers posted strong results for March, Gap saw a decline from previous years’ sales. The company is banking on new chief marketing executive Seth Farbman to turn that around with “swinging” good ad campaigns. [NYT]

There will be no more faking it for beauty companies in the UK. New guidelines seek to restrict false eyelashes, hair extensions and retouching in beauty product ads. [Fashionista]

Joseph Altuzarra talks with Barneys fashion director Amanda Brooks about inspiration, why “commercial” isn’t a bad word and Meryl Streep. [Elle]

Christophe Decarnin is out at Balmain and Robin Givhan thinks it’s  best for everybody. Read: $1,000 tank tops are not good for fashion. [The Daily Beast]

Read More »

Want the Olsen twins as your personal stylists? This July, Mary-Kate and Ashley will launch Stylemint, an e-commerce site that has buyers fill out style quizzes and then handpicks merchandise for them. If this sounds familiar, it is. It’s similar to JewelMint, which boasts Kate Bosworth as a celebrity designer. [Fashionista] via [WWD]

Fashion’s Night Out is not just for New York City anymore. In fact, you can join in from your couch. According to a press release, the Vogue-spearheaded event is branching out to the online world and allowing e-retailers to get in on the profits. [The Cut]

If window shopping has gotten dull for you, head over to Barney’s next month. Starting May 2, Daphne Guinness will be turning the retailer’s window displays into a “collaborative art piece” featuring the collection of Isabella Blow and Guinness herself behind the glass. [Elle]

And if seeing a fashion celebrity isn’t enough, why not buy one of their iconic accessories? The EMI music family is auctioning off items to benefit relief efforts in Japan and somehow they nabbed a Birkin bag actually owned by Jane Birkin. I’m more of a Kelly bag girl myself, but I will be keeping my eye on how high the price for this one goes. [Ebay] Check out EMI Family 4 Japan to see all the auction items. Read More »

Clothes on Film has a sneak peak at the eye candy coming to theaters this fall in the form of The Three Musketeers (we’re talking costumes, but the guys aren’t bad either), plus a brief overview of this defining moment in French fashion. [Clothes on Film]

A select group of bloggers met with designer Paul Smith who handed out advice for young designers—learn the business side of things—and shared how he keeps business meetings light—keep a rubber chicken handy. [Fashionbite]

Here’s an inspiring look at the homegrown manufacturing philosophy behind Project Alabama—a label that created high fashion at the unlikely site of Florence, Alabama. Founder Natalie Chanin’s books just got added to my wishlist. [FIDM] Read More »

Not even the high-profile Lanvin collaboration could save H&M from a profit dip. Sales for the retail giant were down 30 percent for the first quarter compared to last year’s figures. Am I the only one surprised by this after the near-rabid Lanvin buzz? [Vogue UK]

Scandal alert! Ex-Marc Jacobs chief operating officer Patrice Lataillade is suing company president Robert Duffy for maintaining a hostile workplace where employees were required to pole dance and look at gay porn. I can’t wait to hear the justifications for this one. [NY Daily News]

Olivier Theyskens first collection for Theory was previewed to editors yesterday. A few changes to expect come fall are longer jackets and slouchier knits. Thank goodness, the fall collections looked a little chilly this year. [Elle Blog]

Miu Miu is joining the 21st Century and launching an ecommerce site next week. Get your clicking fingers ready to test out their “fashion show selection” feature to shop the runway just like the buyers and celebrities in the front row. (Massive bank account not included.) [Racked] via [WWD]

French costume designer Pascaline Chavanne sat down with T Magazine to talk about the 1970s styles she created for Potiche and share some sketches of the outfits worn by the film’s star Catherine Deneuve. Is it just me, or is Catherine having a moment right now? [T Blog] Read More »

Our favorite samurai shopper is bidding adieu. Cintra Wilson of the New York Times announced at the end of her review of United Nude on Bond Street that the column would be her last as the Critical Shopper. [NYT]

Nashville is taking on New York. In terms of fierce fashion that is. Christian Siriano and Betsey Johnson are on the long list of designers confirmed to partake in the home of country’s fashion week. [Racked]

Mamma Mia! The Sartorialist posts a few rare words on his blog and causes an upset. What do you think? Was he being complimentary, or should Mr. Schuman just have kept his mouth shut? [The Cut] and [The Sartorialist]

Determined to keep us guessing, Dior insiders say the house won’t be announcing John Galliano’s replacement until fall. So, is that fall fall or fashion fall, when the clothes drop into stores? Because fall, as in autumn, is still like six months off. C’mon, we can’t take not knowing much longer. [Fashionista]

The Vera Wang brand is making some big changes. Michelle Kessler Sanders is leaving her post as T’s fashion director to join Vera’s team, a menswear collection is launching, plus a cosmetics line and a yet-unnamed fragrance. Leighton Meester has signed on to be the face of the scent, so I’m suggesting “Gossip.” Good, right? [Elle Blog] Read More »