YSL hasn’t had a profitable year since the Gucci Group purchased it in 1999. Hell, even Bottega Veneta is doing way better in the numbers than Yves. Which isn’t a surprise really, their collections have just been “dead on” lately.

However, don’t fear YSL devotees, Stefano Pilati is supposedly trying to introduce a hipness, an energy to the brand via an innovative project with Showstudio (Nick Knight’s brainchild). Over 200 submissions of script ideas have been received by Showstudio for a fashion shoot being shot this Sunday, according to WWD. The shoot is to feature the new Edition 24 collection of YSL basics. The interactive project will be posted on the YSL website this fall, with user-generated content to go along. Hopefully this will work, or YSL may end up (possibly) being S.O.L.

So with all the recent controversy surrounding models and body image, one had to wonder: where to go from here? Well the next direction is age and the new ban is: 16 and under. That’s right Britain is causing a stir once again as the British Fashion Council’s declaration to ban models aged 16 and under has caused a stir. The consortium of journalists, buyers and other industry fixtures have also come under scrutiny as the ban dances around the “size debate”, another issue still hot on the public radar. The Decision was made in light of the fact that youth are considered more susceptible to eating disorders and other pressures that being a model entails. The group has also set further guidelines and responsibilities for modeling agencies, focusing on health and chaperoning at shows. We’re all for looking out for the best interest of the model, but thank GOD this happened after our favourite British Beauties Kate Moss (discovered at age 14) and Naomi Campbell (discovered at age 15) occured…whew!

Valentino shunned Paris this season in favour of a more decadent setting:Rome. Needless to say he painted the city red with a 3 day celebration fit for Hollywood royalty. His affinity for lavish and expensive taste climaxed, as Uma Thurman, Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld (to name a few) attended the show located near the Vatican in a 12th century basilica.
As talks of Valentino’s retirement thicken, the man placed the icing on the cake, with a catwalk celebration fit only fit for….well, Valentino. Although the 70 year old designer denies plans for retirement, a show like that would surely be the best way to go.

Since the Armani Privé line debuted not long ago as a new addition to the steadily dwindling world of couture, it has received standard approval. However this season something changed. Giorgio Armani, a man who rarely strays from his clean linear looks, revealed a newer direction with this collection. Critics, Kate Blanchett (and other celebrities alike) and other faithful followers have been calling this a great stepping stone as the colours, shapes were freshly new and unlike that of anything previously shown by the label. What do you think?

HOT DAMN!!! Sienna Miller debuts her new clothing line twenty8twelve in stores 1 August 2007. The line is a collaboration between Ms. Miller and her sister Savannah Miller, who is a Central Saint Martins graduate that has worked with the likes of Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, and Betty Jackson. The collection features well-cut coats with pleated skirts, blouses done in collaboration with artist David Cooper, who designed the print, and jeans with zips up the back that were apparently the idea of Sienna. The price range stems from coats costing GBP 345.00 to blouses costing GBP 40.00. The line will be sold at Harvey Nichols, Matches, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Holt Renfrew (Canada). It is also expected that Sienna Miller will be opening up a store in London’s Notting Hill area in September 2007.
Image courtesy of www.fashionising.com

Ungaro head womenswear designer Peter Dundas has left the label, for creative reasons. Apparently the designer and the brand had very different views on the direction of the French brand. Given the more recent history of the label it seems this is a common problem since Dundas is the third womenswear designer to quit since 2005 (when Emanuel Ungaro retired). A replacement is still to be announced.