FASHION Magazine

Rumours surrounding who would take charge at Dior began almost immediately following John Galliano’s dismissal back in February. While former Galliano aid Bill Gaytten had stepped into the role of creative director during Paris Couture Week back in April, we’d assume a megawatter is what LVMH is seeking for the permanent position (especially after Gaytten’s poorly received collection). To date, Ricardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz, and Haider Ackermann have been named as a few of the possible contenders, and now the latest rumours circulating are that LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault wants Marc Jacobs for the job.

The media just can’t get enough of John Galliano. Last month Cathy Horyn speculated that he would be reappointed to his signature label, claims that were soon proven untrue after Bill Gaytten got the job as creative director (and let’s see how long that lasts). Today, new rumours have surfaced that the former Dior designer has a new gig.

After designing Kate Moss’s wedding dress and making an unexpected appearance at the nuptials last week, Vogue UK reported that Galliano was in talks with Topshop CEO Sir Philip Green regarding a possible collaboration with the high-street megastore. According to the magazine’s website, a collection similar to the one Moss did a few years back was possibly brought up in conversation between Green and Galliano at the supermodel’s wedding.

So, is there any truth to the rumours? All signs are pointing to no. Both Green and Topshop denied any negotiations, and even though Galliano fans would still jump at the chance to own his designs at an affordable price point, it seems an alignment with the designer now still feels too risky. So, what’s everyone saying?

Yesterday marked the start of Fall 2011’s Paris Couture Week. Though couture is often luxe and intricate, one house stands apart from the rest in boldness and charisma: Christian Dior. But as the cloud of former Dior designer John Galliano’s ongoing trial still looms over the industry, critics suspected the collection would be different due to his absence of direction. To our surprise, “different” turned to out mean shocking, and frankly disappointing.

The collection was what can only be described as an overzealous attempt to rework what is known as Dior. It seems to be of widespread opinion that from the patterns to the cuts, the ensembles simply did not belong in a couture collection. Overall, there was a vast lack of direction and vision, with colours and materials clashing all over the runway.

At the end of the show, creative director Bill Gaytten took a bow, accompanied by his first studio assistant, Susanna Venegas. He seemed elated to be at the head of the runway, but that’s probably because he didn’t see the giant elephant in the room with the “It Wasn’t Galliano” sign around its neck. Gaytten is already set to take over Galliano’s self-titled label, and though there were suspicions that he’d be taking over for the estranged designer at Dior, those can probably be put to rest. Is Gaytten going straight to the guillotine?

We didn’t think it was possible to rival the buzz around the royal nuptials (or the buzz around the royal visit, either), but this weekend in Europe, a double wedding of sorts pegged supermodel Kate Moss and former Olympic athlete Charlene Wittstock against Kate and Will in the battle for the biggest wedding of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about Mosstock and the wedding we like to call the Monaco Magnificence.

Moss married Jamie Hince of the Kills on July 1, at St. Peter’s Parish in Southrop. Confirming rumours, the supermodel made a controversial decision by wearing a custom-made sheer, bias-cut John Galliano dress, while Hince opted for a couple of Yves Saint Laurent tuxedos by Stefano Pilati. After the ceremony, the couple hosted a weekend-long reception at Moss’s nearby home. The fashionable guests included Anna Wintour, Jude Law, and Daphne Guinness, as well as a surprise appearance by Galliano (what was on his acid tongue, we would love to know). Stella McCartney also designed three outfits for the bride, including the white pantsuit she sported as she left for her honeymoon on a helicopter. Very Bianca Jagger, if we may say so.

Wittstock chose an off the shoulder, beaded Armani Privé gown for her big day. The ceremony took place at the medieval palace of Monaco and was said to be more formal than Moss’s the day before. Naomi Campbell managed to make it to both events, with outfit changes to boot. Karl Lagerfeld, on the other hand, chose to attend the royal affair, as did Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and Karolina Kurkova. Despite the gossip that Wittstock attempted to leave her fiancé, Prince Albert of Monaco, after learning of his third illegitimate child, the event went on as planned and ended with a heartfelt speech from the prince to his new wife.

Miu Miu’s muse: Take a look at the first shot from Hailee Steinfeld’s fall ad campaign for the label. [Fashionista]

The instant that former Dior designer, John Galliano was legally accused of firing anti-Semitic insults at a couple while drinking at Paris cafe La Perle, all of the fashion industry—and much of the rest of the world—sat wondering what would happen to him and the famous fashion house. After much anticipation, Galliano’s trial took place yesterday in France. Though we’re sitting an entire hemisphere away from the reportedly un-air-conditioned courtroom, the highlights of the trial were made accessible through industry tweets, blogs and news articles. We were hitting the refresh button for hours—talk about suspense!—and now we can share the play-by-play with you.

John Galliano’s court date draws closer. The ex-Dior designer will be going on trial this Wednesday. [Vogue UK]

Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy showed an installation of couture dresses in Florence. Take a look at all the gold, crystals and feathers. [Dazed Digital]

Lily Allen’s Lucy in Disguise collection has made its debut. It’s inspired by the character of Lucy taking a super stylish trip through several decades of fashion and modeled after Allen’s love for vintage clothing. [Telegraph UK]

Be still, our hearts! The incredible  Iris Apfel is launching her own jewelry line, in collaboration with HSN. [StyleBistro]

Vogue Nippon editor-at-large Anna Dello Russo made a music video about fashion. And it is absolutely killing us. [Annadellorusso]

We’re barely halfway into 2011 and the fashion world has already seen our fair share of industry shake-ups: the Galliano scandal, Carine Roitfeld’s exit at Vogue Paris, Christophe Decarnin’s mysterious mental illness/ousting at Balmain, and now Patrick Robinson has been booted from the Gap.

While most of the recent switch ups seem to make sense⎯Galliano’s anti-Semitic outburst couldn’t very well go un-reprehended and Decarnin’s health issues were clearly in need of medical attention⎯we found ourselves puzzled upon hearing the news that Robinson had been presented with a pink slip due to lackluster sales in the first quarter of this year. We’ve seen many a powerhouse figure reinstate retail dinosaurs (Bonnie Brooks at The Bay , Jenna Lyons at J.Crew), so why not Robinson at the Gap?