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Andrej Pejic just landed his first major beauty campaign, and his first leading film role may not be far behind. According to his Paris agent, the androgynous model recently met with French director Florence Dewavrin, who is developing a feature based on Honoré de Balzac’s Séraphita. The classic novel, which was published in 1834 and is set in Norway, tells the story of a beautiful androgynous youth who goes by the names of both Séraphitus and Séraphita. The youth serves as the object of affection for both a man who believes Séraphita to be a woman and a woman who believes Séraphitus to be a man — a role for Pejic if there ever was one.

Photo: Getty Images

PARIS—It’s not that everyone didn’t look lovely at the Academy Awards this weekend (and yes, red carpet season’s pretty much over), it’s just that we find ourselves wishing year after year that someone would take a risk.  Like Simon Doonan said a few months ago, we’re still talking about Bjork’s swan dress because it was the last time anyone wore anything interesting.  While swans might be too far a stretch after a year of ladylike Vuitton gowns and vintage Dior, what about throwing some prints into the mix? In Paris this afternoon, Marco Zanini showed a handful of surprisingly loud gowns, all of which were fancy enough for a red carpet, yet playful enough for a young starlet.  Sandwiched in between his ultra seventies brocade bell-bottom suits, granny chic cardigans and tweed tights were bell skirted gowns printed with over-sized checks or tile-like squares.  Sure, they’re not for everyone, but they’re a beautiful alternative for someone tired of the sparkle-meets-fishtail look.

Missi Pyle in Valetina Delfino's design and Meryl Streep in Lanvin. Photos: Getty Images There may have been only two eco-friendly dresses on the red carpet at last night’s Academy Awards, but that’s two more than in year’s past.  Two women on opposite sides of the Atlantic, Suzy Amis Cameron in LA and Livia Firth in London, are working to make the red carpet a platform for environmentally aware fashion.  Firth worked with Lanvin to source the eco-certified fabric (through her Green Carpet Challenge) that turned into Meryl Streep’s draped gold gown, while Cameron’s Red Carpet, Green Dress threw a competition to find a design worthy of Oscar night and The Artist‘s Missi Pyle. Delfino's sketches of Pyle's gown. “The six months leading up to the premiere of Avatar, I knew that I was going to be jumping back into that world [and] walking the red carpet again,” Cameron said of the contest’s origins. “I really wanted to have something meaningful to talk about.” The former actress hopes to launch an eco-friendly clothing line—”I have a tendency to have a little seed of an idea that ends up growing into this global movement”—but for now, she’s happy to draw attention to her pet cause in any way she can. Last night, that meant recruiting Pyle to wear Valentina Delfino’s winning design. As for why Cameron chose Pyle to wear the dress, she says she admires the actress’ lifestyle “because she really walks her walk.” Pyle says she started paying attention to her choices after working with Alicia Silverstone five years ago. “I can choose to buy something made locally in LA or buy something vintage or choose to get something cheaper but maybe made in a sweat shop,” she says. “By no means am I someone who lives a perfect lifestyle, but to be a part of this is something big.”

Photo: Getty Images The Louvre will open its doors to a runway show this Summer — for the first time ever. On June 12, Ferragamo is to unveil its Resort collection on a 400-foot runway formed “under the archways of the Denon peristyle that frames the [museum],” WWD reports. Showgoers will then be treated to a dinner and a private tour of the museum. As part of the partnership, Ferragamo is also serving as exclusive sponsor to the upcoming Louvre exhibition, “Saint Anne, Leonardo da Vinci’s Ultimate Masterpiece.”

Christopher Kane and Donatella Versace take a bow at the recent Versus show.
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Just a day after Suzy Menkes suggested that Christopher Kane might be in Dior’s sights, the designer has shot the possibility down. “While it is incredibly flattering that I could be considered for a role at a house such as Dior at this stage in my career, I can confirm that I have not been approached,” Kane said earlier today. “I am focused on developing my own label and my ongoing collaboration with Donatella Versace for Versus.”

Photo: Getty Images Former Dior frontrunner Raf Simons has exited Jil Sander and is moving away from Milan, but it also doesn’t sound like he’s heading to Paris — at least to helm Dior, anyway. The French house still hasn’t made a peep as far as any future creative director, perhaps in part because it’s enjoying strong business momentum under the leadership of interim director — and former Galliano collaborator — Bill Gaytten. In fact, WWD reports: “Sources said Dior is mulling continuing with a team approach, possibly adding some young, up-and-coming talents.” Could one such young, up-and-coming talent under consideration be Christopher Kane? Possibly, according to Suzy Menkes. She writes: “What if — as the rumor mill claims — Mr. Kane has been put up for the Dior job?”

Campbell at the Roberto Cavalli show earlier today. Photo: Getty Images

“If there was an Oscar for world’s greatest model,” Roberto Cavalli declared backstage at his Milan show earlier today, “then I would give it to Naomi Campbell, no question.” Campbell, who closed out Cavalli’s show on a tiger-print runway made of 39,000 roses, may also be eligible for another accolade: the Most Catwalk-Friendly Supermodel. In the last five years alone, 41-year-old Campbell has appeared in two Louis Vuitton shows, a Jean Paul Gaultier for Hermes production, a Dolce & Gabbana men’s show, and the 60th anniversary Dior couture extravaganza. Plus, she’s logged turns for London labels Julien Macdonald, Kisa, and Issa — the latter twice. Cavalli, who put Campbell in an open-backed burgundy evening dress today, raved of the model: “Every dress you put on her, she knows how to interpret it — she is an actress of fashion.” And what attracted Campbell, who also modeled at Cavalli’s second-ever show, to make a return? “I am here because Roberto seduces me,” she quipped.

Select stars hit the purple carpet on Tuesday night dressed in their finest costumes for the 14th annual Costume Designers Guild Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. For a ceremony that celebrates the year’s most innovative costuming in TV and film, celebs kept their carpet looks relatively low-key, letting the style savvy nominees steal the show. Some went for a monochrome look, some opted for classic elegance, some sported color (Rooney Mara!), and one even rocked fluorescent pink highlights. Check out our favorite looks from the awards show below.




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Kate Beckinsale, who picked up the ‘Lacoste Spotlight Award’ for her onscreen style, looked impossibly elegant in a gray draped Vivienne Westwood gown with a subtle blue and white print.





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Rooney Mara made a splash in a flattering J. Mendel Fall 2012 dress, fresh off the runway. We love seeing Mara show some color, and the plunging v-neck is working for her as well. Keeping up with her goth glam style, she tied her dark locks back and wore a plum color on her lips.




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Being the model that she is, it’s no surprise that Amber Valleta rocked the carpet. The Revenge star wore a form-fitting Roland Mouret in a nice bright shade.




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Ashley Madekwe looked fun and flirty in a black long-sleeved LBD and matching platform pumps.




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Christa B. Allen added toughness to her feminine frock with black ankle boots and a collar necklace.





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No stranger to high fashion, Chloe Moretz wore a sophisticated asymmetrical Vivienne Westwood dress in a luxe fabric. The actress paired her dress with python Jimmy Choo heels and, to top it off, streaks of pink highlights in her hair!

Photo: Jil Sander

After a day of fierce rumor mongering, Jil Sander the brand has confirmed the return of Jil Sander the person. The first shocking announcement came yesterday morning when the brand announced that Raf Simons, the hugely respected (and successful) creative director of Jil Sander for the past seven years would step down on Monday, after showing the brand’s fall 2012 collection.  News reports immediately suggested that Simons was off to Dior (an idea last mentioned months ago) and that Sander herself would return to her namesake brand. This morning, the Jil Sander Group confirmed the namesake designer’s return on February 28th (the same day Simons leaves).  In a statement, the new/old designer said, “I am very happy and excited to be back. It feels like coming home after a brief journey.  The fashion world needs original voices and genuine signatures. I will do my best to, once again, join the choir…Paradigms change and evolve from season to season, but the heart of a brand doesn’t alter.  It will be a great challenge and a greater joy to design Jil Sander’s contemporary identity. I am convinced that the moment is as favorable as could be wished.”  It sounds strange to say that she has big shoes to fill, since it’s her own name on the label, but Simons has secured legions of loyal customer and even Miuccia Prada told Cathy Horyn yesterday, “I am even more surprised that Jil Sander might be returning.” Meanwhile, the idea that Simons will head to Dior seems to have gone out of fashion before there was much chance to discuss.  Yesterday, Anna Dello Russo told Fashionista that she suspects he’s going to work on his own collection (adding women’s wear, hopefully), while WWD wrote of last September’s talks between LVMH and Simons: “it is understood the parties failed to reach an agreement and it appears unlikely Simons will join the French firm.”