YStyle Picks

Kate the great

MANILA, Philippines - Kate Moss is really having a moment — again. First there was her revealing interview for Vanity Fair’s December issue where she discussed nearly having a breakdown after agreeing to do the topless Calvin Klein shoot that made her career, along with her relationship with Johnny Depp. This week, while promoting her tome Kate: The Kate Moss Book, she revealed that she only got the CK gig after Vanessa Paradis, Depp’s recent ex and baby mama, turned it down. Then, David Ross, a photographer who took three photos of a fresh-faced Moss when she was just 14, decided to auction off the photos for charity, which are expected to fetch 1,200 British pounds. Now, The Telegraph has reported that a documentary on Moss is in the works, based on her book tour. We’re sure a lot of supers-in-training (and super wannabes) will be watching.

Top of the pops

Mulberry was named Walpole’s 2012 Best British Luxury Brand, which beat out competitors Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. The not-for-profit organization, which represents the British luxury industry, presented the award to Mulberry creative director Emma Hill last Nov. 19. Other big winners during the awards ceremony include Burberry, which scooped the Best Luxury Brand Online honour, while designer swimwear label Orlebar Brown won Best Emerging British Luxury Brand. “This year’s Walpole award winners represent some of the most talented organizations from across the luxury industry and we are delighted to recognize their exceptional achievements,” said Walpole CEO Julia Carrick. Congratulations, Mulberry! How about a celebratory sale on handbags, yeah?

Cover stars

i-D magazine has launched nearly all eight covers for their “Wise” issue and we’re having a pretty hard time picking favorites. The first cover they released was US Vogue creative director Grace Coddington’s in what is perhaps her first cover in years since her days as a model. Next up was Lena Dunham’s cover who made the signature “Wise” cover face (wherein the cover star either covers or winks his/her right eye) by fake punching her right eye. The rest of the six covers feature models Lara Stone, Laetitia Casta, Arizona Muse, Cara Delevigne, Will Chalker and his baby daughter Martha, and singer Neneh Cherry.

New breed

Kotex has partnered with retail brand Love, Bayo and School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA) in order to give seven of SoFA’s best students the opportunity to create a collection for the brand. In the first ever SoFA Young Designer for Bayo Design Competition, the student designers were instructed to create a collection with the theme “modern fairytale.” The judges included  SoFA owner and bag designer Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Heima Store creative director Rossy Yabut, Bayo founders Lynn Agustin and Yvette Lejano, and stylist Jenni Epperson. The winner of the competition was 18-year-old Korean Sylvia Park, whose floral and lace collection was inspired by her favorite novel, Anne of Green Gables. Her pieces will be available in all Love, Bayo stores starting this month.

Strange coincidence

Hot on the heels of Nicolas Ghesquiére’s departure from Balenciaga, followed by rumors of his replacement, comes the news that Scottish designer Christopher Kane is leaving Versace-owned label Versus, which he has helmed since 2009. According to the label, Versus will be forging a new path, which will feature season-less clothing to be designed by a number of unnamed up-and-comers. Kane’s name has consistently popped up on the short list of rumored replacements for Ghesquiére, and his departure from Versus has added fuel to the flames. Although his spokesperson has stated last weekend that these rumors are “unfounded,” insiders can’t help but wonder if that’s the fashion equivalent of a Hollywood couple saying they’re “just friends.”

Handbag collabs

Two quintessentially all-American handbag brands are jumping onto the collab bandwagon. First is Coach, which approached Anna Sui to design two duffels for them. At the launch of the line, Sui told the press, “I remember my sister-in-law had an original Coach duffel and I just thought that was the coolest bag on earth. And I couldn’t afford it at that point. So when this project came along I was so happy about it.” The duffels feature hand-cut leather dragon flies, charms, and Sui’s signature ‘60s floral prints in the lining. Meanwhile, Dooney & Bourke is targeting the Japanese market with an exclusive collection of bags inspired by Mickey and Minnie Mouse (looks like Barneys isn’t the only one with holiday Disney fever), which will be sold at 46 Disney store locations in Japan. Not that we needed another excuse to raid the Disney store (hello, Mickey ears and Goofy gloves!).