John Varvatos + ZZ Top

Speaking of bears in Diesel's new billboard, blues rock icons ZZ Top will be the hoary, sunglass-sheathed faces of John Varvatos’ fall campaign this year. The designer has featured Franz Ferdinand and Cheap Trick in past, but apparently decided that the group of cool old grizzlies would be a better fit for his safari-themed ads. 

A Few Questions for John Varvatos

Everyone's favorite rock n' roll menswear designer gave a few minutes to answer some random question for The Fashion Informer, tackling those burning queries about salty v. sweet (salty, he prefers), what he eats for lunch (sushi apparently), and his favorite holiday (Thanksgiving -- aw!). A few more gems from the interview:

What he's listening to:

"A few of my current go-tos are Alejandro Escovedo, MC5, The Stooges, The Hellacopters —and over 35, 000 others in rotation!"

His first rock concert: 

"First concert: 1969 Led Zeppelin - enough said! My most recent concert, which blew me away, was AC/DC – they came out and hit hard like a freight train for two mind-blowing hours!"

And what he would ask God: 

"When is the economy going to turn around?"

Quickies: Fashion Week goes public, Prada gets a makeover and more

Photo: Getty Images

Fashion Week is now for the masses...sort of. With a slew of pop-up stores, installations and preview sales the public can now get a taste of what so few ever do. But don't expect to just waltz into the Calvin Klein show. [NYT]

Four Prada boutiques worldwide are getting stylist makeovers. Corresponding with upcoming Fashion Weeks, a boutique in New York, London, Milan and Paris will be styled by a few iconic style maves, starting with Alex White at the Soho store. Following will be Katie Grand, Olivier Rizzo and Carine Roitfeld respectively. [Fashionolgie] 

As if it's any news to us: boys like to wear makeup. Here's 15 male celebs who aren't fooling anyone with that seemingly smooth skin. Zac Efron leads the pack. [bellasugar] 

This fall, men's fashion goes to the trench. Trench coats that is. [WWD] 

Christopher Suave´ is fighting Rachel Zoe to keep his "I Die" and "Bananas" t-shirts on the shelves. He'll also launch a "Free the Fruit" campaign to, as he says, "free fruit from corporate trademark." He's gotta pay legal bills somehow. [The Cut] 

MTV is bringing back House of Style, with Bar Rafaeli to host. But no matter how fab she is, it just won't be the same without our Cindy. [Fashionista] 

Possibly opening for business? Converse by John Varvatos in the old Te Casan space in Soho? 

-- SETH PLATTNER

Thou Shalt Covet: The Limited Edition John Varvatos Ernst Benz Watch

Photo courtesy of Blue PR

John Varvatos shows no signs of stopping the expansion of his label into a lifestyle brand. And now he's taken his affinity for timepieces and teamed up with Swiss watch Brand Ernst Benz to debut the Limited Edition ChronoScope watch which will coincide with his Fall 2009 Collection.

“I have collected vintage watches for years because of their intricate design and architecture. It was a natural next step to create my own special timepiece with Leonid Khankin [Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director of the Ernst Benz brand] translating my design philosophy and blending my aesthetics intricately into the watch components,” says Varvatos in a press release.

The watches themselves flaunt the designer's said penchant for vintage, with their bold faces, classic colors and over-size details. They strike a very Mad Men-ish chord, but, really, what doesn't these days in the world of men's fashion? Nevertheless these classy watches take their cues from those stylish gents of yonder year and yet still maintain a fashionable continuity that guarantees your timepiece will be in style for years to come.

The Ernst Benz by John Varvatos Limited Edition ChronoScope will be numbered and limited to 250 watches per variation. The watch will retail for $6,800 on exotic straps and will be available exclusively at John Varvatos boutiques nationwide.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: John Varvatos, Chace Crawford, Diesel, Project Runway

Photo: Getty Images

John Varvatos says he's considering moving his show to Milan. "New York Fashion Week is not in step, time-wise, with men’s markets at all," he said. [The Cut]

Is Chace Crawford next in line to become the new face of Versace?  We're hearing word that he could be poised to steal the next ad campaign from the flowing-haired Patrick Dempsey. [Perez Hilton]

The Diesel store on Carnaby street in London's Soho district has been wrapped with padding, PVC and shiny black material.  And why? To give it a particularly S&M look to promote their Dark Desires line. Matt Wingfield, the artist who conceptualized the display, said, “We are trying to push the idea of display and how a brand can seek attention." You don't say. [Creative Review]

Project Runway is not only moving to Lifetime next season, but also to Los Angeles, where Heidi Klum promises a lot of upgrades. Among said improvements? Kick-ass sewing machines, which means no more gratuitous fights between designers about so-and-so screwing up the crappy Parson's equipment the last time they used it.  I mean, it's Lifetime, so they've gotta take it down a notch with all the drama. [People]

-- SETH PLATTNER

GANT and the Satorialist take to the streets of New York for a new collaboration

GANT and Scott Schuman AKA The Sartorialist have teamed up for a new project documenting 10 style-savvy New Yorkers dressed in a combination of their own wardrobes and pieces from the classic American brand. A new micro site featuring the fashionable fruit of the partnership's labor has just been launched and it showcases Schuman's shots coupled with a brief interview with each of the freshly plucked-from-the street models.

Some of our favorites? Luke, lost deep in thought in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, wearing a cozy gray cardigan and black Wellies and revealing his ambition to become "an ambassador to some international commission to stop global tomfoolery." Hot and political? Sign us up.

We're also big fans of Brian, who toils as the General Manager of the John Varvatos store at 315 Bowery (in case your stalker tendencies are just as healthy as ours). His tweed-y sweater tucked under a suit coat and paired with motorcycle boots is comfortable, casual, and deftly toes the line between preppy and edgy.

Douglas Geller, Director of Marketing & Public Relations for GANT, tells us there will be a gallery exhibition of the collection in New York this fall, as well as an auction of signed portraits. Finally, in the day and age of reality-based everything, what would any artistic undertaking be without behind-the-scenes footage? GANT and Schuman dare not disappoint and offer up this mini-documentary on the making of 10 New Yorkers:

-- NOAH MICHELSON

Fashion tips and tricks gleaned from Out's Neil Patrick Harris cover shoot

Inspired by Out's new September issue featuring man's man Neil Patrick Harris on the cover, we thought we'd take the opportunity to give you a few quick tips for brilliantly butching up your closet.

All photos by Nino Muñoz

Not everyone looks as comfortable and sexy as Steve McQueen in a pair of leather pants, but somehow Neil Patrick Harris does just fine. The key is that they need to have that weathered and worn look, which gives the impression that they’ve actually ever seen the back of a motorcycle. These brown and dusty A|X Armani Exchange riding pants do just the trick.

Although American classics never really go completely out of style, the jean jacket does seem to have its high and low points. This dark-rinse jacket by Diesel appears classic but its detailing -- like seams and pocket placement -- are entirely new and fresh.

Nothing finishes off a basic white T-shirt and jeans outfit better than a little attitude, a great walk, and a fantastic pair of John Varvatos brown leather zip-up boots.

Finally, don’t be afraid to do denim on denim –- just don’t overdo it by getting all matchy-matchy. A little variation in rinse and color or an entirely contrasted combination can break up the look just enough.

To see the full Neil Patrick Harris cover shoot, head over to Out.com or hit up your favorite local bookstore.

-- BRENT COOVER

Varvatos to Show in Milan; Models Star in Fall Ads; Richie Rich for Hot Topic; Chanel Gets Fly; The Coppolas do Vuitton

John Varvatos will show his Spring 2009 Collection in Milan. He's probably just tired of everyone bitching about taking over the CBGB's space and turning it into a museum of the East Village's gentrification.  [FWD]

Here's a shocker: Designers are trading in celebrity faces and choosing *actual* models for their ad campaigns this fall. Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Prada, Versace, YSL, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Escada will all feature catwalking waifs in their ads. Perhaps people are tired of celebrities? or maybe they just got too expensive? or maybe it they are fed up that celebrities can't fit in sample sizes. After all, when John Travolta is the face of your watch brand, you know you're scraping the bottom of the barrel. [FWD]

Richie Rich will launch a line for Hot Topic called Celebutante.  But his BFF and Heatherette partner in crime Traver is not part of the project. "He didn't want to do it," says Richie. Is this another sign of the Heatherette apocalypse? [Fashionista]

A Chanel Fly Fishing Rod? Could this be the ultimate meeting of classy and trashy? What's next? A Chanel Airstream? [The Cut]

Francis Ford Coppola and daughter Sofia star in Louis Vuitton's latest ad campaign. Wait, what happened to no celebrities? [The Cut]

Project Runway Auditions; Vuitton, Murakami and Kanye Rock the Brooklyn Museum; Wacky Gigs in Fashion; Borat's Second Coming; Armani Roller Skates; Varvatos at CBGBs

Photo: Getty Images

Auditioning for Project Runway: freak show or fashion show? You decide! [NY Times]

Inside last week's Louis Vuitton/ Murakami event at the Brooklyn Museum. Canal Street's gritty counterfeit markets are recreated inside the museum only the wares on the blankets are real Vuitton and cost their usual price. So, rich people can pretend they visit the Lower East Side. [NY Times]

Working in fashion is stranger than fiction— Ugly Betty and Devil Wears Prada just scratch the surface. But if you want to work in fashion, here are some low rung jobs that might suit your resume—or not. iPod Nanny? Dress Namer? Pecil Pusher? Send in your application now! [Independent]

Is Sasha Baron Cohen working on a new film as his alter ego, Bruno, a gay Austrian fashion journalist? The rumor mill says it could be out as soon as October. [Variety via Fashionista]

Would you pay $425 for a pair of Emporio Armani roller skates? Only if they could guarantee that I didn't fall on my ass. [Fashionista]

Take a video tour of John Varvatos' newest store that used to be Manhattan's legendary punk haven CBGB's.  [NY Mag]

The Fall Crave: John Varvatos Eyewear

Two John Varvatos Models Get Shady. All photos: Courtesy of John Varvatos.

Sunglasses have long reigned as a symbol of cool—just look at any celebrity who attempts to dodge the flashbulbs of hungry paparazzi by shielding their eyes with a stylish pair. Glasses are a year round must have accessory. To step up your look—with smart specs or stylish shades—check out frames from John Varvatos, whose line of eyewear blends vintage cool and nerdy chic with a little rock n' roll.

John Varvatos Eyewear, $300, at basecurveeyewear.com