Chatter: Alber Elbaz

"Do you know anyone who wants to be a seamstress? Do you know anyone who wants to be a tailor? I don't either. But I do know many people who want to be models, and not only models, but supermodels. This is the game today: Be famous, and do it really, really fast."

-- Alber Elbaz speaking to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Italy. 

Chatter: Alber Elbaz

“The people I chose to run my new store in London are nice. I cannot work with b*****s, I can’t, I can’t. Maybe I am too sensitive, I get blocked. There are some people who don’t give a damn. With me, I find that if there is no energy flowing or no connection, I can’t think. Talent is amazing - I love it, appreciate it. I respect talent a lot. But if you ask me, ‘Talent and b***h, or less talent and good?’ I’ll go with less talent.”

-- Alber Elbaz on what it takes to work with him.

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]

Lagerfeld Out at Chanel?!

In double, triple, even quadruple take news, uber-insider Diane Perent at A Shaded View on Fashion is reporting that Karl Lagerfeld is not renewing his contract at Chanel! And even crazier than the Kaiser bowing out is who's set to replace him: Lanvin's own Alber Elbaz! 

So what happens to the beloved French label with the absence of Elbaz? Well, according to the last leg of this rumor, Olivier Theyskens, formerly of Nina Ricci, will take over at Lanvin. Mind-blowing? Yes. Though, of course, none of it has been entirely substantiated. Chances are that by the end of the day the dust will settle and answers will emerge.

UPDATE: Unable to contain themselves, The Cut went to straight to Chanel and Lanvin to question the validity of this meaty rumor, and when asked if Karl was in fact leaving with Elbaz as his successor, they were, not surprisingly met with a resounding "NO!"

Quickies: Marc and Lorenzo's Wedding, Karl Shoots Lily Allen, +

Marc and Lorenzo are finalizing their nuptials. The ceremony will likely take place in June in Provincetown, MA and the party not until December in St. Barts. [Cityfile] 

Contrary to speculation, Jesus Luz will not appear alongside Madonna in her new Louis Vuitton ad. But, he is their friend... [The Cut] 

What's with Karl Lagerfeld and his obsession with quirky female artists? First Beth Ditto and now he's tapped Lily Allen to star in the new Chanel handbag ad campaign. [WWD]

A day in the life of Steven Alan. Factoid: he can't sketch. His cats look like goats. [Fashionista] 

Alber Elbaz, always good for a soundbite: "I don’t have children. I’m always pregnant, but I never had kids. Obviously I’ve never been through labor, but I think that having a collection is the closest thing to it." [Fashionologie] 

Michael Kors wants Spanx for men. It could do a few bodies good. [The Cut] 

Chatter: Alber Elbaz

"Fashion is very important, today maybe more than ever...We [designers] have the duty to bring beauty to the world."

-- Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz speaking at the WWD/DNR CEO Summit on the critical role of leadership and vision in the current economic climate.

Quickies: David Gandy for Ikon, Rafael Nadal for Lanvin, Bruno does Paris, and more

Photo: Getty Images

Zirh's new fragrance, Ikon, is now available -- and super-hottie David Gandy (pictured) is the face of their campaign. If you want to ogle this Adonis in person, and you happen to be in the NYC area, he will be making a special appearance at the 59th street Bloomingdale's on Saturday, October 4. He will meet and greet gays -- er, guests -- all afternoon. [ZIRH]

Rafael Nadal has just signed on as the new face for Lanvin's men's frangrace, Lanvin L'Homme Sport. If we've learned anything from David Beckham, it's that sexy, greased-up-body shots of hot athletes will pretty much sell anything. [WWD]

First he stunned the runways of Milan, and now Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno is wreaking havoc in Paris. While at the Stella McCartney shows, and "with his red thong clearly visible," the commedian "sucked Tampax, clapped along to the music and generally disgruntled the front row by continually pushing aside those sitting in front of him for a better look at the models." What we would pay to see a showdown, Bruno v. Anna. [British Vogue]

Yesterday we pulled a chatter-ific quote from Time's interview with Tom Ford and Karl Lagerfeld. Now you can go ahead and read the whole thing -- just try to keep your head from exploding from fashion genius overload. [The Cut] via [Time]

The New York Times talked to André Benjamin about his style and his new clothing line, Benjamin Bixby. As compared to other celebrity lines, Eric Wilson says of Benjamins: "His collection is so unexpectedly nostalgic as to seem designed for another era." [NYT]

Open for Business: The new DDC Lab store in Manhattan.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Handpicked: Project Runway alum Rami Kashou's ode to LA shopping

Photo: Joshua Scott

We asked Project Runway finalist Rami Kashou -- who has his own storefront in Los Angeles -- to take us shopping. Here's his report:

Maxfield (8825 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (310) 274-8800) is my favorite specialty and high-end designer boutique in LA -- a veritable one-stop shop for a fashionable life. I can find anything from a unique belt, candle, or accessory to the most elegant, show-stopping suit guaranteed to fit me like a glove. I especially love their selection of shoes and brands that I have not seen elsewhere in Los Angeles. The merchandising of the boutique is meticulous; I love when I walk into a store to shop and everything is visible. I tend to raid through every single piece before I decide what I will buy. Last but not least, Maxfield is my favorite place to shop simply because it is a place for the artist in me. It is the kind of place I want to go to and admire the work on the racks as though I were in an art exhibit.

As pictured: 1. Rose classic button-down shirt by Lanvin, $400  2. Charcoal one-button blazer by Lanvin, $2,49 3.Charcoal cotton peaked-lapel vest by Kooks, $620 4. Green long-sleeved shirt by Volga Volga, $580 5. Gray five-pocket jeans by Dior Homme, $600

Quickies: Alber Elbaz's school supplies, Margiela maybe moving out of the Maison, and more

Lanvin's Alber Elbaz loved the colored pencils he used to sketch his collections so much that he's putting his name on a limited edition set. It's not guarantee you'll be showing at the tents if you get your own set, but look how pretty! [WWD]

The big rumor out of Paris is that Martin Margiela is ready to move out of the Maison. He's been hinting to colleagues for the past year that he is set to retire his sewing kit, but no one can get any confirmation.  Margiela is as elusive for interviews as Palin is for press talks. [NYT]

Men's Vogue is hoping that its new slogan will improve readership. "Style is how you live" is catchy, but it will never be as clever as those two looming letters: GQ. [The Cut] via [WWD]

Smell This: Ikon by mens skincare line, Zihr.  With notes of lemon, cardamom, cedar and amber.  Generic, yes, but you have to ease some men into male grooming. [Now Smell This]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Coach to Buy Burberry? Inside Prada's HQ! Agyness Deyn Sings! Lanvin and Acne Collabo! Superhero Fashion Tips! Nina to Harpers?

Photo: Getty Images

Is Coach planning to purchase iconic British fashion brand Burberry? Wall Street is aflutter with speculation. [Bloomberg]

Take a peek inside Prada HQ. They even have a gigantic slide by German artist Carsten Höller in the courtyard Local lore says that Miuccia Prada herself likes to slide down the installation when inspiration strikes. How can you not love her? [FT]

The face of Burberry and model of the moment Agyness Deyn is trying her hand at being a rock star. She lent her vocal stylings to a track by Five O'Clock Heroes. The model/rockstar crossovers haven't gone well in years past and lucky for us, NY Mag has a roundup of model singers past. [The Cut]

Lanvin's Alber Elbaz is designing a line of jeans for Acne. But don't expect them to be in Acne's usual price range—they will sell at the same price points as Lanvin's ready to wear items. I hope they make some jeans for guys this time! [FWD]

What would you wear if you were a superhero? Don't wear royal blue if you're blonde, says Michael Kors. [NYDN]

Is Nina Garcia in talks with Harpers Bazaar? She was spotted leaving the Hearst building yesterday and the rumors are flying like Naomi Campbell's cell phone. [FWD]