Photo: Getty Images

Not too long ago, the only people who knew the name Aaron Paul were viewers of The Price is Right, but times have certainly changed for the young rough-and-tumble actor. Paul is now most well known for his Emmy Award-winning performance on AMC’s hit show Breaking Bad. The 32-year-old actor, who won the Emmy in 2010 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series plays Jesse Pinkman on the show, a troubled wannabe gangster with a big heart and an astounding amount of charm. We can’t help it: despite his cheesy lingo and oversized pants, there’s something about Jesse that is undeniably attractive. Whatever it is, this baby-faced bad boy has totally stolen a piece of our hearts! But who was Paul before he was a cast member of the six-time Emmy Award-winning show? Turns out, he isn’t quite the bad boy we envisioned him as. In fact, he was the son of a minister who got his acting career started by performing in his church’s plays. From there, he realized his heart was set on acting and since then, he’s made various appearances on shows such as Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, CSI, and most recently Big Love. Paul even played a role in the movie Mission: Impossible III, but his real fame began when he pulled on a beanie on the set of the AMC show. Originally, Paul’s character Jesse was supposed to be killed off at the end of the first season, but after only a couple of episodes, Vince Gilligan, the director, realized that would be a mistake as he watched Paul light up the set alongside Bryan Cranston, who plays Walter White, the show’s main character. Even though we’ve blown Paul’s bad boy cover, we’re still totally obsessed and can’t wait for the final season of Breaking Bad to begin on July 15th. Our only question for today’s crush of the week is, what next?

Guccio, the Gucci stallion. Photo: Gucci

Karl Lagerfeld may have a new cat—with its own Twitter handle, no less—but Gucci has also acquired a new animal: a horse. The house, which has long been associated with equestrian chic, renamed the stallion Guccio after house founder Guccio Gucci, WWD reports. Unlike Karl’s cat Choupette, Guccio is not so much a pet. He may make an appearance at the Olympics—or at least, that is the hope: he’s currently residing in Holland, at the stables of Edwina Alexander, currently the world’s top female horse-jumper.

Last night's discussion; Photo: Joyce Culver for 92Y

Last night, Fern Mallis’s discussion series at 92nd Street Y wrapped up its first season with a symposium featuring Michael Kors. Entering the Upper East Side establishment, attendees were expecting a sort of fashion comedy hour—as Kors is known to entertain—and though the bar was set high, the designer delivered. “The last thing I can do is work off a script,” Kors told ELLE following the discussion. “I told Fern that I didn’t want to know too much about what she was going to ask me in advance—just let it rip.” Born Karl Anderson, Jr., Kors had changed his name by the age of twelve. “As we all know, in fashion there’s only one Karl—I had a premonition,” he said. And by that age, his interest in fashion and entrepreneurialism had already started to sprout. AN 11-year-old Kors set up the “Iron Butterfly Boutique” in his basement, selling an array of homemade candles and whip-stitched leather pouches. “They sold out within a week,” he noted. Summer camp was also an opportune environment for Kors’s burgeoning ideas of luxury—he established a laundry service where he’d hand-wash and press fellow campers’ garments. “We didn’t have an iron,” he explained, “so we’d drip-dry them and lay them between two pieces of wooden shelving.” Fast-forward a few years and Kors was enrolled at FIT, an experience that was short-lived, as the designer dropped-out before graduating. “I was going out a lot,” he said of the time. “I frankly thought that Bianca Jagger’s birthday party [at Studio 54] was a great lesson.” Kors found employment on the sales floor at a now-shuttered department store on 57th Street—a job that evolved into him designing the store’s entire in-house label. It was there that he met then-editor Vera Wang. “I was ringing her up and she was asking about the clothes,” he recalled. “And then she said, ‘Do you want to go to the Met [ball]?’” He dressed Wang in his designs for the gala, that year honoring Yves Saint Laurent. “I almost levitated,” Kors said of his YSL encounter. When he left to start his own label, the designer would sew production samples on rented sewing machines in his Chelsea flat. “I only had two sizes—P and S,” Kors said. Bergdorf Goodman hosted his first trunk show at age 21, but it would be three years before Kors staged a fashion show. In 1993, Kors encountered an infamous kink in the middle of his fashion show, held in an raw downtown space.  ”I heard an explosion from backstage that sounded like gunfire,” he said. “Naomi Campbell came off of the runway and said that the ceiling had fallen down and that it had hit some people,” including well-regarded journalist, Suzy Menkes. “It was time for New York to get professional show spaces… Voila!” he said, gesturing at Mallis, who was responsible for establishing the first organized fashion week in New York. By 2000, following a few minor roadblocks (including bankruptcy in 1993), Kors had begun to hit an indefinite stride, presenting his ‘Palm Bitch’ collection for Spring and designing the ‘Tahiti’ sandal that was regarded as the shoe of the season. “I called it my Park Avenue Jesus sandal,” he said. “It was a hippie sandal that you could wear at La Grenouille.” More recently, Kors has struck a footwear goldmine with his “consummate Bat Mitzvah shoe—it’s called the Berkley T-Strap. Now I have 12-year-old customers.” The designer, who’s judged Project Runway for the last ten years, was originally hesitant to enroll in the reality TV formula, he revealed. “I kept thinking Survivor—like people were going to be eating the fabric or something.” Looking back now, Kors is impressed: “It was the first time that people saw how clothes come about and the interesting people that are involved in the process.” Most recently, Kors rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, signaling his company’s initial public offering, which was valued at 3.5 billion dollars—the largest in fashion history. “It was better than my Bar Mitzvah,” he quipped. Noting his success has been thirty years in the making, to young designers he advised: “Keep your eye on the ball—do what you do, and do it well.”

We love a royal affair just as much as the next girl, so even though our invite for Queen Elizabeth II’s last-ever Diamond Jubilee got lost in the mail, we decided the next best thing was to dress for the occasion. We’ve kept our eyes peeled on Her Majesty as she’s celebrated her 60 years as Monarch, and we’ve been blown away by her amazing regal ensembles, including tailored skirt suits, eccentric headwear, and classic pearls. Following the Queen’s (and Queen-to-be’s) lead, we’ve compiled a guide to achieving timeless royal style. The Fascinator The Brits have been donning fascinators (code for fancy headpieces) since the days of Diana, and newbie Kate Middleton has taken the trend head-on—literally—sporting eccentric hats wherever she goes (the Duchess was even crowned “Hat Person of the Year” by The Headwear Assocation!). In short, you’re not dressing like a royal unless you’re wearing one of these babies on your head.



Photo: Courtesy of ASOS

Pieces fuille bow fascinator, $16. The Skirt Suit When we think of a skirt suit, we can’t help but picture something our grandma would wear—but it doesn’t have to be that way. Give the age-old look a chic update by mixing and matching the top and bottom—it’s just as dressy, but a little more fun.

Photo: Courtesy of Topshop

Topshop scallop edge boucle jacket, $130.

Photo: Courtesy of J.Crew

J.Crew no. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge cotton, $90. Patent Leather Pumps If you’re all dressed up in a skirt suit, you’d better have the shoes to match. A classic pair of patent leather pumps—in Kate’s go-to nude color—will tie together your ensemble (and lengthen your legs!).




Photo: Courtesy of Steve Madden

Steve Madden Remmedy pump, $90. Pearl Earrings When accessorizing for a regal affair, leave your chunky bracelets and statement necklaces at home. A dainty pair of pearl earrings add the perfect touch of fancy and don’t overwhelm your outfit with attention-grabbing jewels.




Photo: Courtesy of Lord & Taylor

Lauren by Ralph Lauren faux pearl stud earrings, $24. The Baguette It’s anything but royal to lug around everything you own on your arm, so for the Jubilee, keep it light: a small baguette is perfect for carrying just the essential items (i.e. phone, money, and lip gloss).



Photo: Courtesy of Straw Studios Straw Studios pink cornhusk clutch, $63.

Photo: Courtesy of the NYC Ballet

Valentino, who retired from fashion design in 2008, is designing anew—this time for the New York City Ballet’s Fall Gala. The September 20th event aims to celebrate the legendary couturier with a performance of George Balanchine’s “Rubies”—a tribute to the designer’s signature red. In return, Valentino is creating costumes for three works that will be performed during the evening, including a new ballet set to Tschaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.” Of the endeavor, Valentino says, “There is so much beauty in the ballet, the grace, the fluidity.” He is honored to have City Ballet “celebrate my work in this way,” he said, “And I am very passionate about the design of these very special costumes.” This is not the first time Valentino designed for ballet since his retirement; he designed costumes for the Vienna Ballet in 2009. Sarah Jessica Parker and Valentino’s longtime business partner Giancarlo Giammetti are set to co-chair the evening.

Photo: Getty Images

Kate Middleton, ever the Alexander McQueen fan, has worn the label three times in as many days, all for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. On Sunday, it was a red pleated custom McQueen dress for the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant; yesterday, it was a black McQueen blazer Middleton wore over a patterned Whistles dress for the Diamond Jubilee Concert. And today, she attended the special service hosted at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London—which wraps up the central celebration of the Diamond Jubilee—again in long-sleeved, knee-length McQueen. The blush dress is covered in lace and features a satin waist detail; Middleton paired it with her trusty nude LK Bennett heels, a satin box clutch, pearl drop earrings, and a Jane Taylor hat. If Sarah Burton wasn’t already cemented as Middleton’s go-to designer for official royal appearances, this past run certainly solidifies it.

Photo: Getty Images

Sister love! The Row designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen scooped up the 2012 Council of Fashion Designers of America’s coveted Womenswear Designer of the Year award last night, and thanked each other for the big win. PopSugar. We know the Kardashian’s enjoy filming their own music videos, and in their latest installment, the family sings along to “Hypnotize” by Notorious B.I.G. while cruising on a yacht in the Dominican Republic. MTV. Valentino Garavani may have retired from fashion design, but the Italian fashionisto is ready for his comeback—designing costumes for the New York City Ballet’s Fall Gala. ELLE. It’s on! According to a report, Lady Gaga and her ex, Vampire Diaries hunk Taylor Kinney, are giving their romance another go. Taylor joined the singer in Thailand for part of her tour. Us Weekly. Everybody loves singing along to Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”—even the POTUS! In a new YouTube video mashup, Obama “sings” to the catchy pop tune. Huffington Post.

Floral has long been a popular pattern for spring, and this season, the colorful print has bloomed again—this time on bottoms. Big denim brands like Paige Denim, 7 For All Mankind, Current/Elliott, J Brand, and Citizens of Humanity have all jumped on the floral jean bandwagon, and florals are making their mark on wide-leg and cropped pants too. When shopping for the perfect pair of floral-print bottoms, make sure to choose a cut that’s flattering for your figure (we recommend bigger, wider pants for a petite frame to add curves). When styling these flowery pants, you should keep the rest of your outfit simple and easy: a plain T-shirt won’t overwhelm the loud print. Floral pants are a feminine and flirty addition to your spring/summer wardrobe, and they’re versatile too: wear them with flats during the day and throw on a pair of nude heels to dress them up at night. We’ve rounded up our favorite botanic bottoms of the season below, so scope them out while the trend is still in bloom!


Photo: Courtesy of STYLEBOP Current/Elliott haystack floral print stiletto pants, $290.

Photo: Courtesy of ASOS ASOS skinny pants in floral print, $61.


Photo: Courtesy of Forever 21 Forever 21 floral cigarette pants, $20.

Photo: Courtesy of Anthropologie Floral sateen slims, $118.

Photo: Courtesy of Kohl's LC Lauren Conrad floral chiffon wide-leg pants, $24.

Photo: Courtesy of SINGER22 J Brand floral-print twill capris, $202.

Photo: Courtesy of Free People Free People printed ankle skinny, $78.

Photo: Courtesy of Shopbop Paige Denim floral ankle peg skinny jeans, $186.

Photo: Courtesy of LOFT Marisa drapey cropped pants in daisy petals print, $60.

Photo: Courtesy of Piperlime Lucca Couture printed trousers, $64.

Photo: Courtesy of Black Label Boutique 7 For All Mankind skinny jean in garden party print, $189.



Photo: Courtesy of Zara Zara floral print trousers, $60.

Photo: Getty Images

Beyonce may be back on the road touring, but she still brings a little bit of Blue Ivy with her. The singer paid tribute to her daughter onstage at her Atlantic City, N.J. show by flashing a shot of her cradling her newborn on a big screen. Radar Online. Model Meester? Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester walked in the Penshoppe show during Philippine Fashion Week on Saturday. Oh No They Didn’t. Giorgio Armani is getting into the social media game with the launch of #ArmaniTweetTalks: live discussions on relevant fashion topics broadcast via Twitter. WWD. Aussie label Ksubi has teamed up with Moda Operandi to launch its first ever trunk show, live now through June 4. ELLE. Apparently Pippa Middleton plans too many parties. The Daily Mail reports that the Duchess of Cambridge’s sis is “cashing in” on Kate’s royal celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Daily Mail.