Tyra takes the Times

Check out our girl Tyra Banks, looking fee-yahce on the cover of this week's New York Times Magazine!

The article by Lynn Hirschberg presents a unique view of Tyra, whose personality is as multifaceted as her cache of well-practiced smiles (275 of them, to be exact). There's the no-nonsense business woman, the inspirational icon, the mama's girl, the body-acceptance advocate (she talks at length about the famous "kiss my big ass" episode that smacked back at the tabloids for criticizing her weight), just to name a few.

You'll also hear about the latest project that will have her stepping into the producer's chair for a third time for a new show, Stylista.

Click on over to check out this in-depth look at one of today's most fascinating media personalities ... not to mention the owner of some seriously dangerous curves.

Breaking news: Project Runway "aufs" Bravo

After the show's most successful season to date, the producers of Project Runway have said "auf wiedersehen" to Bravo and announced a surprise switch to the Lifetime channel.

Apparently they forgot to tell the good people at Bravo, who are suing PR's owner, the Weinstein Company, over the switch.

So what what's the word in the famously devoted PR community over this shakeup? That would be "worried."

Writes Tom Fitzgerald of the Project Rungay blog: "Not casting aspersions on Lifetime, but they are known for victim-of-the-week movies and ‘Golden Girls’ reruns. There is a real fear that the show is going to change because of this move." According to Blogging Project Runway scribe Laura Kluvo, "Bravo has a knack for creating celebrities out of everyday people that are doing their jobs ... That is not the nature of Lifetime."

In a related story, Women's Wear Daily broke the news on Friday that Elle magazine and editor Nina Garcia (who moonlights as one of PR's sharp-tongued judges) have parted ways. Further details have yet to be released, but the move is sure to affect either Elle's sponsorship of the show or Garcia's status as judge.

Then again, this could be the least of the shakeups we'll be seeing next season. Stay tuned, ladies!

(Image: New York Times)

Meet the new face of Revlon

In somewhat of a surprise move, Revlon, Inc. announced today that it has named Aussie beauty Elle Macpherson as its global brand ambassador.

In addition to appearing in national ad campaigns, the 45-year-old Macpherson will also play a role in Revlon's many philanthropic activities.

"I am proud to join Revlon in its celebration of women and in its long-term commitment and support for education and research to advance women's health and particularly to fight women's cancers," stated Macpherson, who recently launched her own lingerie line and appeared as a guest on America's Next Top Model.

Good for you, Elle—way to show the world that a girl can rock at any age!

(Source: Women's Wear Daily)

Estee Lauder walks on the dark side

What comes to mind when you think of Esteée Lauder fragrances? Yeah, same here: Gwyneth Paltrow clad in pastel linen on a bicycle with a basket full of delicate flowers. Light, floral, girly, with nary a whiff of dark notes to be found.

Well, this season, the House of Lauder's fragrance line is getting a bit of a shakeup. Come this summer, the new scent Sensuous will be spicing things up with a deep, woodsy, amber aroma.

"Estée Lauder is heavily penetrated in the floral category," says president John Dempsey. "A new entry in woods allows us to expand our portfolio and reach out to a new customer. Woods are a growing category in North America and an important opportunity in Europe."

Look for Sensuous at your favorite Estée Lauder counter in July.

(Source: Women's Wear Daily)

eLuxury goes all "e," all the time

Much as we love thumbing through them, our beloved thick, glossy catalogs are about to become an endangered species. That is, if other retailers decide to follow eLuxury's lead.

Recently the retailing giant announced that it would do away with the 270,000 catalogs it sends out each year, replacing them with more interactive online versions.

"Besides the noticeable environmental impact," director of eStore and marketing Karen Wallerich told Fashion Week Daily, "it allows us to create more trend-based and conceptual style guides, showcase more merchandise, reach a broader audience, and target more specifically our customers."

After checking out the results, we don't think the paper version will be missed all that much. Click on over and see for yourself.

(Source: Fashion Week Daily)

iVillage hearts Graffiti Pink treats for V-Day!

Love is in the air, and the media mavens over at iVillage's Inside the Loop know it. What's more, they know nothin' says lovin' like a sexy gift from Graffiti Pink!

Check out the Valentine's lingerie gift segment of the latest In the Loop, where noted beauty and style journalist Cheryl Ann Wadlington offers her picks for this year's hottest V-Day presents. Get this, ladies: not one, not two, but three out of the four "hot gifts for her" featured were treasures from the Graffiti Pink family:

Betsey Johnson Pink Tricot Puff Sleeve Vintage Babydoll








Betsey Johnson Black Poly Chiffon Kimono and Babydoll





Malicious Retro Playsuit














The video is available on iVillage OnDemand—click on over to see why these candy-licious pieces from Graffiti Pink are the red-hottest thing since ... well, red hots.

Russia says "da" to Coach

Time to pack your bags for Russia, Coach.

The $2.9 billion American accessories giant recently unveiled plans to open 15 boutiques in Russia over the next five years, mainly concentrated in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg.

"Russians are becoming important consumers of luxury accessories," Coach International president Ian Bickley told Women's Wear Daily. "Opening Russia is part of our strategy to capitalize on the increasing popularity of the brand with emerging luxury consumers globally."

The first two locations are planned for Moscow: the first, in the Seasons Kutuzovsky shopping center, will open in April 2008, followed by another on Red Square in the fall.

Now that's sharing some love on a global scale!

(Source: wwd.com)

Remembering a pioneer

Unless you're a diehard pro football fan, the name Georgia Frontiere probably doesn't mean much. But if you're into stories about strong, capable women who overcame the odds, you'll be interested to know more about this pioneer, who nearly 30 years ago became the first woman to own an NFL team.

Georgia inherited the then–Los Angeles Rams from her husband, Carroll Rosenbloom, when he passed away in 1979. At the time, everyone assumed that she would step aside and allow Carroll's son Stephen to take over. Clearly, "everyone" didn't know Georgia. She quickly assumed the full duty roster of an NFL team owner and proceeded to lead the team through a 1995 move to St. Louis, a 1999 Super Bowl victory, and a 2001 NFC Championship.

Last Friday, Georgia Frontiere left us, losing a lengthy battle with breast cancer at age 80 and leaving behind an inspirational heritage. Rams president John Shaw offered this tribute: "It’s been my privilege for twenty-eight years to work for a loyal, generous, and supportive owner who was totally committed to her football team."

Sounds like a touchdown to us, Georgia.

(Image: viewimages.com)

Apple gives us the skinny

Today at the 2008 Macworld expo in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs turned his competition on its ear by unveiling the world's thinnest, sleekest notebook computer yet: the Macbook Air, measuring a meager 0.76 inches thick and weighing about 3 pounds.

If you think the Macbook Air achieved its slim silhouette by skipping a few meals, think again: it maintains all the major capabilities of Apple's other notebooks, rearranged into a package sleek enough to slip into a Marc Jacobs tote.

Now that's the kind of technology a girl on the go can really appreciate!

(Photo: Associated Press)

Meet the New Face of Lancome

Congratulations to Anne Hathaway, who just yesterday was officially dubbed the newest "brand ambassador" for French cosmetics giant Lancôme.

According to Lancôme president Odile Roujol, "Anne Hathaway is a radiant young woman who perfectly embodies modern femininity. We know she will portray all the passion and excitement of our new fragrance, to be launched throughout the world in September 2008."

Way to start the new year off right, Anne!

(Hat tip: BellaSugar)
(Image: eonline.com)

Reese tops highest-paid actress list

According to Hollywood Reporter, Reese Witherspoon has surpassed Angelina Jolie as Hollywood's highest-paid actress, commanding an average of $15 to $20 million per film. The full ranking appears in the publication's Women in Entertainment: Power 100 issue, on newsstands Tuesday.

Cameron Diaz shows up in third on the list at $15 million per flick, followed by Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, and Sandra Bullock, whose scales start at $10 million.

And while only established Hollywood actresses are to be found on the top 10 list, several newer personalities are gradually working their way up the pay scale, including Katherine Heigl, Rachel McAdams, and Jennifer Garner.

You go, girls!

Meet Glamour's Women of the Year

On October 30, Glamour magazine announced the winners of its 2007 Women of the Year awards at a lavish red-carpet event in New York City.

Congratulations to all this year's winners, especially the group's cover girl, Jennifer Garner!

Abigail Breslin (hello, Girlpower!)
Elizabeth Edwards
Jennifer Garner
Empowering Hands
Dr. Victoria Hale
The female presidents of the Ivy League
Donna Karan
Lara Logan
Toni Morrison
Lorena Ochoa
Mariane Pearl
Nancy Pelosi
Shonda Rimes
Alice Waters

Visit Glamour's Women of the Year site for biographies of the class of 2007.

Graffiti Pink rocks Les Deux

Check out highlights from our fashion show of Carol Malony designs at Les Deux, one of L.A.'s sexiest hotspots!

We'll miss you, Liz

This week the fashion world mourned the loss of Liz Claiborne, the first designer to come down from the ivory tower of high fashion and create real designs for real women. At age 78, Liz lost her battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that few can even approach. She established her studio in 1976, when women had two choices in what to put on their backs: “couture” or “K-mart.” Liz was the first designer to propose a happy medium in clothing that was stylish, but also affordable and wearable on a daily basis. Her transition from runway to neighborhood department store paved the way for designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Vera Wang, and hosts of others.

And if that's not enough, her company was the first founded by a woman to make the ranks of the Fortune 500.

The Liz Claiborne company's current portfolio includes over 40 brands—from hipster lines like Juicy Couture to luxury names like Narciso Rodriguez and Lucky Brand Jeans.

Thanks for everything, Liz.