American Apparel Feels Anarchists' Wrath

When did American Apparel go from the outfitter of choice for fashionable anarchists, to their target? The store in Toronto was smashed up and looted over the weekend when thousands of police and demonstrators faced off over the G20 economic summit.

AA wasn’t the only one vandalized, but the smashed windows and what reports describe as “poop sprayed from a super soaker” over the clothes and dummies, well that’s a pretty specific kind of hate.

There was a time when if you were skinny and poor and brimming over with attitude, you would be suiting up at AA before going off to bring down global capitalism. Now, presumably, there are other outfitters du jour for your angry young men and be-pierced ladies. Unless that was what the looting was for. What makes it a touch unfair, is that AA uses American labor and a company structure that’s a step up from sweatshops funneling cheap clothes into the global clothing market -- even if they are image fascists and reportedly demand all of their staff are rigidly beautiful.

Quickies: Rumors still confirm Karl's out at Chanel, Fabien Baron is back at Interview, Hermes breeds crocodiles, +

So rumors in Europe are still flurrying that the Karl/Elbaz/Chanel/Lanvin rumors actually have some validity. Breath -- bated! [Fashionologie] 

The dust has settled at Interview, and it appears that Fabien Baron is back at the helm as editorial director. [Fashionologie] 

Gareth Pugh, along with, like, everyone else, won't show at Paris men's fashion week. [The Cut] 

So...Hermés breeds their own crocodiles for their bags. Nothing makes a statement purse like a little added morbidity. [The Cut] 

In Kanye West news: he shops at American Apparel with Amber Rose -- where they buy the same thing -- and blew off being Agyness Deyn's date for the Glamour fashion awards. Such a gentleman. [American Apparel] and [The Mirror UK]

Lady GaGa's stylist speaks! [Anthem]

Quickies: Anna on 60 Minutes, American Apparel Pays Out, +

Missed Anna Wintour last night on 60 Minutes? Besides Morley Safer calling her a bitch, you didn't miss much. [The Cut] 

American Apparel gave in and will pay Woody Allen the $5M for using his face in their billboard campaign. Money well spent? [The Cut] 

Jesus Luiz reportedly only received $100 for his shoot with Madonna for W. Given the outcome of that shoot, he seems to be doing just fine. [NYP]

The first Edition store by Banana Republic just opened in California, where all items are under $100. If the stores does well -- and why wouldn't it during a recession -- they could expand. [WWD]

Paulina Porisokva was fired from America's Next Top Model. So what doe she do? Dishes on Tyra's egomaniacal behavior of course! [The Cut] 

What the CW will lose in Paulina Poriskova, they'll certainly gain with the addition of Zac Posen's reality show about the equestrian world. Feel free to help connect the dots. [The Cut] 

Quickies: American Apparel (Barely) Escapes Bankruptcy, Interview Gets Another Makeover

American Apparel almost filed Chapter 11 bakruptcy today. But they got an $80 million dollar layout. Pretty colors and provocative ads will only take you so far. [WWD] via [The Cut] 

Interview is getting another redesign. It involves a new logo and Zac Efron. [WWD]

Is Heard on the Runway in trouble? Rumors are mounting that the WSJ's beloved fashion blog is close to folding. [The Cut] 

After the Earnest Sewn co-founder exit, is the planned L.A. boutique being scrapped? All signs point to yes. [Blackburn and Sweetzer]

Fashion label lollie pops? Kind of fabulous. [High Snobiety] 

Quickies: Madonna's dating Jesus, Prince William's new beard and more

Photo: Getty Images

Brazilian tabloids are reporting that Madonna is dating one of the models form her W photo shoot. He's only 20, his name is Jesus, and he will supposedly be her New Year's date. That Madge -- such a showoff. [Made in Brazil]

Prince William (pictured) has a new beard. He's being nicknamed Prince "Hairy" and was also runner-up for Beard of the Year Award. [People]

Meanwhile, in other bearded news, Portland, Oregon, has been named the most bearded city in America. If they're looking for a leader, we know a certain bearded prince who could command their scruffy legions. [kempt]

Girogio Armani is, once again, campaigning for a good cause. This time for “Prevention Guides,” a new series of health books that will sell with Corriere della Sera, Italy’s most-read newspaper, in January. “I think that nowadays prevention should be considered a way to show love to yourself and to those who love you,” Armani says. [WWD]

American Apparel is being slapped with another lawsuit. This time from ex–chief of European operations Bernhard-Axel Ingo Brake. He's accusing the label of shady European employment practices, unhonored bonus promises, and tax evasion. AA is, naturally, counter-suing Brake for embezzlement and the hiring of a mistress for a high-level position in Switzerland. The claws are out, kids. [WWD]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: American Apparel in court, Obama gets casual and more

Photo: Getty Images

Dov Charney (pictured) and American Apparel are being sued, surprisingly not for anything involving sexual misconduct. A former accountant claims he was ordered to cook the books, but when he refused he was fired. [WSJ]

Now that he's got the White House in the bag, Presiden-Elect Barack Obama has been loosening his style. It apparently says something about what type of president he will be. If his suiting is any indication, we're all sitting pretty. [NYT]

More Christmas party cancellations: Conde Nast and Hearst are calling off their holiday fetes. The parties may be halted, but something tells us the drinking won't be. [Fashionista]

Racked is live Twittering the Commes des Garcon launch at H&M today. Fingers crossed they make out alive. [Racked]

Odin launches their online store today. Along with their other blooming stores -- Pas des Deux and Den -- Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi are now making their effortlessly stylish duds available to the one-click-away masses. [Refinery 29]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: Burberry, Jacobs, Phillips de Pury -- and Craigslist?

Photo: Getty Images

This fall expect a music inspired scent from Burberry called Burberry the Beat for Men. Creative Director Christopher Baily notes "art, design, fashion, music — they all feed off each other and inspire each other. So I sat with the perfumers and gave them a ton of music." We're speculating The Go Go's was on loop during said sit-down. Kids got the beat, yeah. [WWD]

Marc Jacobs, who's been candid about his addictive personality, can add another vice to his list -- himself. He has a new tattoo every week; he spends hours in the bathroom primping; he works out non-stop. He claims in a new profile in The New Yorker, that he is "a perfect being in a perfect world." And we certainly do appreciate the reminder. [Gawker] 

New deets on the Phillips de Pury auction of jewelry worn by hip-hop stars like 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Notorious B.I.G. and  Diddy: Claimed as "glittering cultural artifacts woven into hip hop's colorful legacy," the auction will take place on October 1, and, yeah, we're expecting the crowd to be appropriately crunk (wouldn't you have to be to buy this stuff?). [The Cut]

Craiglist is now the place for breaking fashion news! Known far and wide as a haven for used furniture, a good internship, your next great apartment and, on occasion, a one night stand,  if this post indicates anything, it would appear that American Apparel is venturing into footwear. [Fashionista]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Agyness Deyn keeps rocking; The Project Runway/Nina Garcia saga continues; Josh Harnett hems Armani; Dov Charney - Retailer of the Year; 15 Spring Bags for Guys; Posh and Her Gaggle of Gays

Photo: Getty Images

After her cute but nonetheless paltry collaboration with Five O'Clock Heroes on the song "Who," Agyness Deyn is now commanding the spotlight in her own newly formed band with friends Alanna Materson and Jackson Pollis.  This ball is rolling perhaps a little too fast. [British Vogue]

We're all admittedly a little tired of the hoopla going on between Nina Garcia and Project Runway, but, alas, it all readily determines the existence and survival of the greatest reality show on television.  Turns out negotiations are still churning, and ELLE is putting up a bit of a fight with Marie Claire for sponsorship.  En garde! [WWD]

Just announced: Josh Harnett will be the face of the new Armani men's fragrance Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men.  Good to see he is getting some work these days. [Fashionista] 

Dov Charney, Creative Director and entrepreneur of pseudo-pornographic obsessed label American Apparel, was just named Retailer of the Year.  Considering the guy looks like the type who would roll up in a converter van and ask you to film a few tasteful scenes in the back, it's surprising the award has previously gone to the likes of Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta. [Gawker]

15 of the chicest spring bags for toting male. [Refinery29]

Victoria Beckham told The Sun (UK) that the only people that like her are the gays. Not so fast honey...[Towleroad] -- SETH PLATTNER

Dempsey Does Avon; Ferre Taps 6267; Woody Allen is Un-American; Madonna Wants to be Rihanna; Chad White Dishes

Chad White takes a Ride with Out in 2007.

Grey's Anatomy star Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey will be the face of a new Avon fragrance for men. How do you go from being the face of Versace to Avon? Probably because his wife works for the cosmetics giant. It's clear who wears the pants in that relatioship. [WWD]

Gianfranco Ferré named Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi of Malo and 6267 creative directors of the Gianfranco Ferré women's line, replacing Lars Nilsson who left the company abruptly a few months ago. [FWD]

Woody Allen is un-American. Well, he's suing American Apparel for $10 million after the LA-based company used his image in advertising campaigns without his consent. The complain says the campaign is "especially egregious and damaging because Allen does not commercially endorse any products in the United States of America." Versace, however, is another story. Don't expect Allen to front any 'Buy American' campaigns anytime soon. [FWD]

Madonna reinvents herself as Rihanna on the cover of British Elle? Say it ain't so, Madge! [The Cut]

Out family favorite model Chad White dished about Vogue's racy racist cover and admits he doesn't have a place to live. Come on, who wouldn't want him to share a duvet? [The Cut]

Tons of Project Runway Gossip; Defending American Apparel's CEO; Prada's New Gallery; Paper Denim & Cloth Rises Again

Photo: Getty Images

Is Project Runway in need of a makeover? Jillian Lewis and Christian Siriano told WWD they think producers should shake things up to keep the show, which is now casting for Season 5, fresh. [WWD]

An American Apparel model speaks out about the company's mustachioed CEO Dov Charney. Mustache or not, he's apparently not the douche bag the media portrays him to be. Maybe shaving the mustache will help him ditch the Chester the Molester associations and sexual harassment suits—or maybe he should just stop giving models vibrators as gifts. [Radar]

Miuccia Prada loves to mix art and fashion, so its no surprise to hear that Prada plans to open a Rem Hoolhaas-designed gallery space in Milan to showcase Fondazione Prada's collection of contemporary art in the next couple of years. The foundation is shopping around for a quaint home with curb appeal with just 162,000 square feet. [WWD]

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is considering his options for what to do with his final collection. WWD reports that he is considering retailers like Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys New York or his own website—that is, if Posh Spice doesn't snap it up herself. As the winner of the competition, he can hawk his line on Bluefly.com but he's unsure if his collection is right for the Bluefly customer—considering they sell last season's threads on the cheap. [WWD]

Reality shows collided when Jaslene from America's Next Top Model worked the Project Runway catwalk for Jillian. Time for a Heidi vs. Tyra supermodel smackdown! [Fashionista]

Hoping to rise from the dead, Paper Denim & Cloth gets a major image overhaul in a bid to win over the hipster set of the Lower East Side. The fruits of their makeover labor will be seen this fall. Does anyone still wear Paper? [WWD]