YStyle Picks of the Week

Choupette Lagerfeld: The cat’s meow

MANILA, Philippines - With an iPad instead of a ball of yarn to paw around, two personal maids who note down her daily activities and dietary intake in a 600-page diary, and even a Twitter account, @ChoupettesDiary, Karl Lagerfeld’s Siamese kitten, Choupette, seems to have it all. But what can papa Karl give her that other cat owners can’t? How about a Chanel handbag named after her? At the fall 2012 couture show for Chanel, the models carried soft, knitted handbags accented by metal chains, which resembled the ones described by Cathy Horyn of The New York Times: “just saw the Choupette bag in the studio at Chanel. Knitted, soft. Name of Karl’s cat.” Yup, Karl L. is one smitten kitten.

Unlikely onscreen partners

In order to promote the debut issue of 25 magazine, with the theme of women’s erotica, model-turned-magazine founder and editor Anja Rubik decided to collaborate with director Barnaby Roper and, um, Kanye West. “He agreed with me that there’s no porn out there that is beautifully aesthetic and integrates fashion to make a beautiful image. I thought it would be really interesting to make it seem like we were entering Kanye’s head.” Going inside Kanye West’s mind in order to promote women’s perspective on erotica — yes, it makes perfect sense. A more sensible on-cam pair-up appeared this week when Daria Werbowy shared screen time with none other than iconic cartoon character Betty Boop for Lancôme’s Hypnôse Star Mascara. “Just say it with the eyes,” Boop tells Werbowy in the two-minute spot. We sure missed you, Betty.

Let the games begin

It’s official: The sporty chic trend is about to hit mainstream with the announcement of the Adidas Originals x Opening Ceremony collaboration. Coming out just in time for the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games (not to mention the Preview Best Dressed Ball tomorrow with its athletic chic theme), the collection features “Opening Ceremony’s signature bandana pattern, along with floral, graphic and painterly prints in bright colors and athletic-inspired styles and shapes. Curve-hugging skirts and dresses, biker shorts, structured jackets, peplum tops, bikinis, and even platform sneakers are included in the exclusive 100-piece line.”

Celebrity skin

This week American underwear brand debuted its “Preferred by Rachel Zoe” collection of underwear and shapewear. According to Zoe, “Style starts within, and having the right foundation is critical to the ultimate success of your outfit.” Talk about hard sell. In other news, following the website makeover of Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s hopelessly out-of-touch lifestyle blog, she launched a clothing collaboration with Kain Label. Their brainchild? A $90 white T-shirt. Call us when you’ve gotten a reality check, Gwyneth.

First looks

Amid all the scandals (the details of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault’s marital affairs, anyone?) and gossip during Paris fashion week, Raf Simons sent his first collection for Christian Dior down the runway to a well-attended audience comprised of designers, editors, socialites, and royalty. The reviews are a mixed bag with some describing the collection as “lackluster” and others claiming that Simons changed “the face of Christian Dior in couture.” Meanwhile, sketches of Hedi Sliman’s first designs for the renamed Saint Laurent Paris have been revealed. His first resort collection, as well as Slimane’s first attempt at womenswear, features sharp tailoring, pinstripe stuis, and cigarette trousers. We suppose it’s the closest women will get to wearing those Slimate skinny suits so favored by Kaiser Karl.

Dressed to impress

It’s that time of the year again: the highly-anticipated annual Preview Best Dressed Ball goes down tomorrow night with the theme of Athletic Chic. Making it to this year’s top 10 are actress/TV host Megan Young, actress Lovi Poe, accessory designer Emi Jorge, San Vicente, Palawan Mayor Pie Alvarez, mother and wife Linda Ley, writer Mara Coson, entrepreneur Tessie Singson, jewelry designer Joyce Makitalo, designer Vania Romoff (who also belonged to PEFTA’s pioneer batch) and actress Dawn Zulueta, who waves the fashion flag as this Best Dressed issue’s cover star. In the words of Preview editor-in-chief Pauline Suaco-Juan, “When we came up with this list, everyone in the team really made sure we were able to cover the whole diversity of the fashion spectrum, because we recognize the fact that there are really many ways to dress up.”