>> Finding a gift for the leading lady in your life — whether that's your BFF, girlfriend, wife, or mother dearest — can be a daunting task; but don't stress, we've got you covered. We scoured the web for gifts fitting for every vivacious personality, and this first one highlights the polished prepster – don't we all have one in our lives? Check the slideshow for more presents that are guaranteed to knock the Jimmy Choos off their feet.
>> Another Gucci alum is joining Barneys — Charlotte Blechman, who was VP of public relations at Gucci from 2004 through 2009, has been named SVP of marketing and communications at the retailer. She joins Barneys CEO Mark Lee, a former Gucci CEO, and former Gucci North America president Daniella Vitale, who was named Barneys chief merchant and EVP on Monday, right after Barneys veterans Julie Gilhart and Judy Collinson were dismissed without warning, Cathy Horyn reports.
Barneys is expected to go more mainstream under its new management — whereas Collinson and Gilhart were "not afraid to go against the grain," according to Maria Borromeo, a one-time Barneys buying assistant who is now CEO of Thakoon, Cathy Horyn points out: "Increasing Barneys’ profitability was a prime objective in hiring [Lee]. The recession forced retailers to become leaner and more competitive, in particular with online sales, and that urgency will be critical to Barneys’ cool."
>> The rumors have been flying for well over a year now, but finally, French conglomerate Lagardere, which owns publisher Hachette Filipacchi, and subsequently, Elle, has confirmed that it is exploring options for its international magazine business.
“These are informal discussions, which can result in anything from partnerships to joint ventures to an outright sale," a spokeswoman confirmed. "But at this stage nothing is fixed, and no time limit has been set."
Regardless of what happens, Lagardere plans to hold on to its French magazines — including French Elle — and retain editorial control over the foreign editions of Elle (which includes American Elle). When asked about the rumors that Harper's Bazaar publisher Hearst was interested in buying a controlling stake in American Elle, the spokeswoman replied: “They are certainly one of the possible partners but by no means the only one.”
>> The holidays are always a hectic (and fun), time of year because somewhere between shopping for friends and fam, you're also challenged with finding festive soiree dressing options for yourself. Zara to the rescue! The retailer's latest evening lookbook touts options like a punchy red tulip dress or this streamlined luxurious velvet coat and pant combo.
>> Within a year, the previously unknown designer Guillaume Henry has pulled together quite the cult following for revived French house Carven. Now, Carven is getting its first stand-alone boutique in Paris in January, a brand spokesperson confirms, before Henry has even held a runway show for his collections. But maybe a show isn't too far behind: The Daily surmises that come March, Carven may be added to the show calendar rather than holding private press appointments as Henry has done in the past.
And speaking of rebooted French brands, Jacques Fath is getting relaunched under the direction of Laurence Dumenil, with a full range of accessories debuting for Spring 2011. Between now and then, however, Dumenil already has a capsule collection, inspired by the Fath archives and handmade in a family-owned factory in Angers, France, hitting Los Angeles's Satine Boutique shortly — see one style here.
>> Daria Werbowy has never appeared in a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show lineup, but it's not because Victoria's Secret didn't want her. According to The Imagist, back before Werbowy signed her Lancome contract in April 2005, Lancome and Victoria's Secret were in a bidding war over her: "It was down to the wire till the last moment. Two power clients bidding at the same time for the exclusive services of [Werbowy]. And then the negotiations swung the way of Lancome, and the rest is contract history." [The Imagist]
>> Holiday spirit comes in all forms, but it certainly doesn't mean you have to dress like an elf to get the holiday mood going. Our subtle festive picks — spanning from a chic pair of navy bow-embellished pants from Marc by Marc Jacobs to a red plaid tartan top from J.Crew – are ideal for day wear and beyond. Peruse the slideshow for more nuanced holiday dressing ideas.
>> Director Michael Bay, who last year brought a fiery, helicopter and plane-filled holiday commercial to Victoria's Secret, is back behind the camera again for this year's VS holiday commercial. The 90-second extended spot, which premiered last night during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, was filmed in Chicago and Milwaukee and features Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman, Candice Swanepoel, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lily Aldridge, Erin Heatherton, and Katsia Damenkova. A behind-the-scenes video of the shoot can be seen here.
