Cavalli in the News

In a bizarre turn of events, Roberto Cavalli appears in the news again this month, just weeks after his animal-print-heavy collection for H&M was unveiled worldwide. The Italian designer recently came under fire when he accidentally confirmed to the world that songstress Jennifer Lopez is pregnant.

In an interview with People magazine, Cavalli said, “Well, Jennifer Lopez, at this moment, she requests something very special because she is waiting for the baby ... It is so complicated because every week she is getting bigger.”

Glad we got that one sorted out.

New Names and Places

As always, GLOSS has a plethora of new appointments and labels to report on. First up, according to FashionWeekDaily.com, the former president of Narciso Rodriguez, Janice Sullivan, has been named president of Calvin Klein Jeans, a division of Warnaco Group Inc.

In the beauty biz, Andrea Robinson, president of the Tom Ford Beauty and Prescriptives brands (which are owned by Estée Lauder Cos.), has resigned. Taking her place at Tom Ford Beauty in the interim is Joe Spellman, a strategic marketing consultant for the Estée Lauder Cos.

Meanwhile, Tara Subkoff, the actress-turned-designer who began the anti-fashion label Imitation of Christ seven years ago, is now developing a collection for Bebe. Fashionista.com reports that in addition to collaborating with the juniors chain, Subkoff has signed a series of deals that finally separate herself from Imitation of Christ. Josh Sparks, former CEO at hot denim label Sass & Bide and Subkoff’s partner in the diffusion line Imitation, has bought the label from her for $2.5 million (USD), and has announced that Kasia Bilinski, lead designer for Imitation, will take over design duties at Imitation of Christ as well.

Another designer, Luella Bartley, has announced a new collaboration with surf label O’Neill. The London designer, who recently opened her first stand-alone store in September, will create 30 pieces for the label, including sweatshirts, swimsuits, T-shirt dresses, jeans, and board shorts, which will initially only be sold in Europe starting in the spring of 2008.

According to WWD.com, Bartley said, “As a novice surfer myself, I wanted to get across a different side of the female surf look.”

Inspirations for the collection include Peggy Oki, a popular 1970s skater and surfer, and “sun-bleached Venice Beach surfers.” The pieces will retail for $32 for a tank top to $170 for a suitcase, and all pieces in the line will have been named for beaches on England’s South Coast.

In other interesting collaboration news, Juicy Couture has teamed up with iconic rock band Duran Duran to design a full wardrobe for the band’s Broadway concert debut in New York. This isn’t as random as it sounds, though: Juicy co-founder Gela Nash-Taylor is married to band member John Taylor. The concerts will support the band’s new album, Red Carpet Massacre, and according to WWD.com, the band took a hands-on approach to design: “Red Carpet Massacre requires Maoist utility wear, punk-savant/bohemian and louche satins,” said Taylor. Opening night for the concert series was held earlier this month, on November 12th.