Ivanka Trump Moves To Close Her Brand Immediately, Saying She's Committed To DC

Ivanka Trump Moves To Close Her Brand Immediately, Saying She's Committed To DC

Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s elder daughter and a top White House adviser, is shutting down her namesake fashion brand more than a year after stepping away from the company.

A spokesperson for daughter Trump's brand confirmed on Tuesday that they would begin immediately to wind down the business, not renewing licensing deals and letting employees go.

The decision comes one week after Hudson's Bay stores in Canada, who also owns Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue, announced that they would not be carrying the brand in the future due to poor sales. 

“After 17 months in Washington, I do not know when or if I will ever return to the business, but I do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington, so making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners,” Ms. Trump said in a statement.

Katherine Lo Set To Open Eaton Workshop, A DC Hotel For Progressives

Katherine Lo is coming to Washington as the founder of Eaton Workshop, a 209 room hotel that will also include a social club, co-working space, a movie theater for independent films, a wellness center and a progressive news station. Surely, I've forgotten something.

Oh yes. The radio station will air a radical indigenous-rights show called Red Power Hour, and the rooftop will house an urban farm that will provide ingredients for the restaurant below, American Son.

The Piscataway tribe of Native Americans indigenous to the area will be recognized in decor and more directly. “We were going to put up a plaque to signify that we’re on stolen land,” Sheldon Scott, the hotel's culture director said. “But now we’re talking about contemporary programming possibilities and the prospect of them blessing the space.”

Eaton is a hospitality company that leans firmly, and unapologetically, to the left; Ms. Lo, 36, is focused on making the D.C. location as a gathering place for liberals feeling displaced by President Trump. 

Katherine Lo Set To Open Eaton Workshop, A DC Hotel For Progressives

Riccardo Raspa Glorifies 60's Feminists In 'Uniform'Less' For Odiseo by Folch #12

Riccardo Raspa Glorifies 60's Feminists In 'Uniform'Less' For Odiseo by Folch #12

Photographer Riccardo Raspa wrote about 'Uni-Form'Less' for the 12 Issue of Odiseo by Folch:  "With this project we wanted to glorify and remember all the effort made from the past and (a) new generation of magic woman around the world for a more equal society."

Raspa collaborated with Michela Caprera on styling and creative direction with casting by Isadora Banaudi.  With white nationalism rising all over the world, the fight for women's rights must again move into high gear.

Anok Yai Becomes Estée Lauder Spokesmodel, Anchoring Her Meteoric Model Rise

Anok Yai Becomes Estée Lauder Spokesmodel, Anchoring Her Meteoric Model Rise

Estée Lauder has announced that it has signed Anok Yai, fashion’s newest star, as its latest Global Spokesmodel. Anok will feature in makeup and skincare campaigns across digital, TV, in-store and print. Anok’s first campaign will be for the brand’s number one foundation, Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, debuting August. She joins the current roster of Estée Lauder spokesmodels, Misty Copeland, Grace Elizabeth, Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Yang Mi, Carolyn Murphy, Hilary Rhoda, Joan Smalls and Fei Fei Sun.

“We are thrilled to welcome Anok to the brand,” said Stephane de La Faverie, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder. “Estée Lauder has always chosen women who represent our vision of global beauty. With the addition of Anok to our current lineup of diverse spokesmodels, we continue the brand’s legacy of celebrating women from different backgrounds, ethnicities and ages.”

Painter Pierce Brosnan Plans 2019 Paris Exhibit, Inspired By $1.4 million amfAR Dylan Sale

Painter Pierce Brosnan Plans 2019 Paris Exhibit, Inspired By $1.4 million amfAR Dylan Sale

Actor Pierce Brosnan says that he was 'gobsmacked' watching his original painting of Bob Dylan generate $1.4 million at the amfAR’s 25th annual Cinema Against AIDS event in Cannes. The painting purchased by Ukranian billionaire Marina Acton who is married to WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton. 

Now Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith are planning an exhibition of 20-30 of his paintings in Paris. “We love the city,” Brosnan tells 'THR'. “It’s the epicenter of the art world and has been for many years.” Smith agrees that “Paris is always a good idea,” with her devoted and adoring husband finishing her sentence. “It’s a bold one. It definitely takes some courage to do it, but I reckon if I can go out and sing in Mamma Mia!, I can go show a few paintings, have a few cocktails and give it a shot.” 

Acton dreams of a singing career and sources report that: "In what seems like a genius business move on Kim’s part, sources close to the real estate deal tell us Acton has dreams of becoming a singer and is a big fan of Kim. When they bought Kimye’s home, we’re told they paid WAY over what the property was worth because of the Kardashian connection."

Apparently, the Actons never moved into the mansion and are now trying to flip it for the buy price. Kim Kardashian may have committed, as part of the real estate deal, to promote her new friend Marina now and in the future. 

Trump Fixer Michael Cohen Made Tape With Trump About Payments To Karen McDougal, Alleged Year-Long Trump Mistress

Trump Fixer Michael Cohen Made Tape With Trump About Payments To Karen McDougal, Alleged Year-Long Trump Mistress

A New York Times article revealed on Friday that president Trump's longtime fixer and friend who maintained an office in Trump Tower located close to the now president, lawyer Michael D. Cohen, recorded a conversation with the presidential candidate two months before the presidential election. The conversation is communication about a second payment to insure McDougal's silence after an initial arrangement with The National Inquirer.

The recording, seized during a raid on Mr. Cohen's office by the FBI several months ago,  is potential evidence in a Justice Department investigation about Cohen's involvement in paying women to kill or tamp down breaking news stories that could embarrass the presidential candidate in the days before the election.

To recap, the former model Karen McDougal claims that she was involved in a nearly year-long affair with Trump in 2006

Shinola Hangs A Sign On Fall 2018 Opening Of New Boutique Hotel In Detroit

Shinola Hangs A Sign On Fall 2018 Opening Of New Boutique Hotel In Detroit

If the Harvard Business School isn't studying the development of Detroit's Shinolabrand as a modern-America civic marriage between business and citizens, they should be. This fall, downtown Detroit welcomes the first Shinola brand hotel, created in a refurbished department store on the formerly prosperous Woodward Avenue. 

The 129-room boutique hotel is Shinola's boldest idea yet, with its sign now installed for the world to see. The artisan-inspired, deep community roots brand has been the vision behind a major, block-wide development  that includes residences, restaurants, a fitness center and a mix of national and local retail.

Lupita Nyong'o & Saoirse Ronan Launch CALVIN KLEIN WOMEN Fragrance | Key Analysts Say It's Game Over For Victoria's Secret

Lupita Nyong'o & Saoirse Ronan Launch CALVIN KLEIN WOMEN Fragrance | Key Analysts Say It's Game Over For Victoria's Secret

On the face of it, one might not readily connect Calvin Klein choosing top-drawer actors Lupita Nyong'o and Saoirse Ronan to front its new scent Calvin Klein Womenscent and Fast Company running a headline Tuesday titled 'The end of Victoria's Secret: Why analysts and readers say the brand is on its last lace.' 

“It’s game over,” Jeffries analyst Randal Konik told Bloomberg about the world's biggest lingerie brand, pointing to declines in traffic, pricing power, and market share. Konik also said that he thought investors were ignoring these obvious warning signs and choosing to believe Victoria’s Secret is still a great brand.

That's a harsh statement about a great brand, one that I worked for over 10 great years. You know it's time to go, though, when your own vision for what women want are out of sync with the owners'. If there's anything wrong with Victoria's Secret, it's symbolized by the tawdry spectacle that is the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show. Just imagine if VS piled all those beautiful models on an airplane and took them on a supporting women and girls activism tour. Consider that the VS models who have made high-profile departures from the brand -- women like Karlie Kloss and Doutzen Kroes -- are women who embrace activism and justice as part of their DNAs. 

NJ People's Motorcade Raise Funds For East Coast Trump Baby Headed To Trump's Bedminster Golf Course

NJ People's Motorcade Raise Funds For East Coast Trump Baby Headed To Trump's Bedminster Golf Course

After being the aerial center of attention for more than 100,000 protesters who took to London streets near Parliament Square last week, a 19-foot-tall diaper-pinned Trump Baby balloon is hopping a plane across the Atlantic. New Jersey activist Didier Jiminezreached out to Trump Baby's creator Leo Murray, with the intention of flying the little guy with the big mouth in New Jersey during Trump's August visit to his Bedminster gold course.

“The baby Trump is not just a piece of humor, but it is also a symbol of the administration. It’s symbolic of the children that are in cages, it’s a symbol of racism, and we know that he hates to be ridiculed,” Jimenez told NJ.com.

Democrats Launch The Last Weekend As Largest Grassroots Army Ever Assembled For Midterm Elections

Democrats Launch The Last Weekend As Largest Grassroots Army Ever Assembled For Midterm Elections

Nearly two dozen top progressive groups which include Swing Left, Indivisible, MoveOn, Organizing for Action, Latino Victory, United We Dream and the Working Families Party will launch on Wednesday a massive get-out-the-vote effort aimed at helping Democratic candidates during the last days of the 2018 midterm elections. 

Organizers say the effort, dubbed “The Last Weekend,” is focused on recruiting the largest grassroots army ever assembled before a midterm election — one that will not just vote for Democratic candidates but volunteer for their campaigns.

“The stakes are so high that voting isn’t enough,” said Ethan Todras-Whitehill, executive director and co-founder of Swing Left, which is organizing the effort. “You’ve got to do more. The new bar is not just voting, but volunteering in key races that matter for determining control of the government.”

“I can’t think of another time where you had this diverse array of progressive organizations coming together the last weekend before an election,” said Cristobal Alex, presidential Latino Victory, which is part of the effort. “Not just to get out the vote, but to mobilize an army of super volunteers ahead of the vote.”

Allez les Bleus! Brigitte Macron Wears LBD, Twinning With World Cup Winners In Louis Vuitton

Allez les Bleus! Brigitte Macron Wears LBD, Twinning With World Cup Winners

France's First Lady Brigitte Macron joined her husband President Emanuel Macron in welcoming the French soccer team to the Elysée Palace today. Macron turned to her frequent designer Louis Vuitton to celebrate France's World Cup win in a chic LBD -- in bleu, of course. Vogue writes:

Macron’s minimal dress was in line with her previous pieces designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. The cap sleeves were an elegant alternative to going sleeveless for summer, and balanced the above-the-knee length. A topstitched center-front seam created an elongating effect, as did her pale, neutral-toned pumps. But the best part of Macron’s look? Twinning with the victors in navy blue.

Amanda Seyfried Poses In 'Tales Of The Unexpected' Lensed By Ward Ivan Rafik For Porter Edit July 13, 2018

Amanda Seyfried Poses In 'Tales Of The Unexpected' Lensed By Ward Ivan Rafik For Porter Edit July 13, 2018

Actor Amanda Seyfried is styled by Maya Zepinic in 'Tales Of The Unexpected', lensed by Ward Ivan Rafik for Porter Edit July 13, 2018./ Hair by Renato Campora; makeup by Katey Denno

Seyfried chats up Sanjiv Bhattacharya on a wide range of career and personal health topics. Read the interview. 

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

Oprah Covers British Vogue August 2018, Telling Us To Embrace Activism & Happiness In Trumplandia

Oprah dazzles in a series of bespoke fashion created for her by Erdem, Christopher Kane, Simone Rocha, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen in 'Oprah's Next Act', styled by British Vogue's Edward Enninful. Photographers Mert & Marcus capture Oprah as an empress sharing her thoughts on race, feminism, her Royal wedding appearance, the loves and losses in her life – and that rumored move into politics – in a rare one-on-one interview with writer Decca Aitkenhead./ Hair by Nicole Mangrum and Malcolm Edwards; make-up by Derrick Rutledge

Always America's spiritual healer, Oprah has choice words for Americans struggling under the onslaught of Donald Trump's dark, disruptive presidency. As for a presidential run, Oprah once again says 'no way'.

“In that political structure – all the non-truths, the bullshit, the crap, the nastiness, the backhanded backroom stuff that goes on – I feel like I could not exist,” Winfrey says. “I would not be able to do it. It's not a clean business. It would kill me.”

Winfrey goes on to explain how she squares her spirituality and self-help advocacy with the #Metoo and Time’s Up movements. "People talk about 'these are such dark times', but what if we shift the paradigm? Because I see it differently,” she asserts. “I see, 'Isn't this remarkable that we're waking up?' For years, women have endured craziness. This is what's happening to people. They're allowing themselves to not just become corroded, but to become hysterical. You've got to lean to the happiness."

In related news, Oprah will take that optimism to South Africa, joining Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams, Femi Kuti, Gayle King and Bozoma St. John in Johannesburg on Dec. 2 for the 2018  Global Citizen Festival, aimed at ending poverty by 2030. 

MGM.Lot18 Pull Table Wines Inspired By Women Slaves In 'The Handmaid's Tale'

Handmaids across America turned sour this week when Lot18.com announced a wine collaboration with MGM, producer of the Hulu series 'The Handmaid's Tale'.  As Trump Republicans move against American women, MGM got the novel idea that creating three wines based on characters in Hulu's critically acclaimed adaptation of Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel was an inspired business opportunity. 

Lot 18 announced the MGM collaboration as Trump announced his new candidate to the US Supreme Court U.S. Circuit Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh. While Judge Kavanaugh has stated that he regards abortion rights case Roe v. Wade as binding precedent, Kavanaugh ruled against a prominent case of a 17-year-old immigrant's request for an abortion. 

Within this reality for American women, Lot18.com thought it would be a brilliant marketing opportunity moment to offer two reds inspired by Elisabeth Moss and Alexis Bledel's characters, Offred and Ofglen and a Yvonne Strahovski character Serena Joy white.  The idea was born of an effort to sell "table wine based on one of the most tragic and disturbing shows on TV."

Darkness reigns on Lot18.com/thehandmaidstale.  The Washington Post headline by Avi Selk summed on the reaction of women to this bottom of the barrel marketing idea:'Similarly seductive:' Someone decided to brand wine after slaves from 'The Handmaid's Tale' says it all. 

Jamie Hawkesworth Captures Saoirse Ronan, Set To Play Mary Queen of Scotts, For Vogue US August 2018

Jamie Hawkesworth Captures Saorise Ronan, Set To Play Mary Queen of Scotts, For Vogue US August 2018

Jamie Hawkesworth captures Bronx-born, Ireland-bred Saoirse Ronan for Vogue USAugust 2018 cover story. Camilla Nickerson styles Saorise, coosing looks by Prada, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein 205W39NYC, Michael Kors, Erdem and more. / Hair by Damien Boissinot; makeup Dick Page

Sally Rooney interviews Ronan, first nominated for an Academy Award at age 13 for her role in 'Atonement',  near her childhood home In Ireland, days before the national referendum that repealed its ban on abortion. The activist had actually made a video encouraging a vote to legalize abortion, a step she took with no regrets. 

“I just felt like that wasn’t important,” she says (about concerns for a backlash against her). “I know people who had to travel abroad in order to get an abortion, and that’s when I knew I would speak out.” But Ronan doesn’t engage only with policy concerns that touch her life directly. She also voiced her support in 2016 for the illegal takeover of an empty building in Dublin’s city center to accommodate the homeless; and she takes the time to recommend me Jeff Chang’s We Gon’ Be Alright, a book of essays on racial resegregation in the U.S. “I wouldn’t say I grew up politically minded,” she tells me, “but the older I get, the more in touch I am with what activists are doing—and the more I want to help them.”

Ronan will play Mary, Queen of Scots, in Josie Rourke’s biopic of the sixteenth-century monarch, out this December. Her foil is Margot Robbie, who plays Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots', who describes Saoirse as "beyond her years".

Raakhee & Satya Tell Serena & Olympia That It's Ok The GOAT Momma Missed The First Wobbly Walk

Raakhee & Satya Tell Serena & Olympia That It's Ok The GOAT Momma Missed The First Wobbly Walk

In response to Serena Williams sharing news that she cried upon learning that her daughter had taken her first wobbly steps while Serena was practicing at Wimbledon, there has been a deluge of support for her and the impossible conflicts that working women with kids share.

ELLE US published a smile-worthy essay by Raakhee Mirchandani -- and I know up front that not all people will find her commentary amusing. Still, this is one family unit and this is their life. And if it works for them, who should judge?

I think Serena will probably have a life more like this one. And just imagine the wonderful story -- now that Serena is in the quarterfinals -- if she wins. (Update: On July 11, Serena advanced to semi-finals.) Even if she loses now, Serena has come miles in the last month.

She can weave a story that will bind the two humans for life, saying "Oh Olympia, I had been to hell and back trying to find my old GOAT self. I kept worrying about you and wanting to be with you every moment. But then I saw how glued you are to tennis on TV, (she IS) watching every serve, every volley, watching my practice videos and I just had to do this for us. . . . I was distraught when I missed your first steps . . . but then I felt such energy and power coming from my little girl, cheering me on, saying "go momma . . . you can win again . . . you are the GOAT . . . and I am the GOAT's little girl. We are a team. . . . so dry your tears and go out there and win."

I daresay that we might not be in such a political pickle if we had more moms like both these women -- radicals by American standards. European kids are raised much more within this perspective than that of the US supermoms. There is no one right way. But I believe Serena and Olympia will be fine. After all, it's not like Olympia isn't already carrying a star load of possibility with that name. Her momma will be cheering her on, just like Satya's mom is focused on her daughter's future.

Coachella Beyonce x Balmain Collection Launches July 2018 To Benefit United Negro College Fund

Coachella Beyonce x Balmain Collection Launches July 2018 To Benefit United Negro College Fund

Balmain announced Tuesday its Beyonce x Balmain collection inspired by the 22-time Grammy Award winning artist's April 2018 Coachella wardrobe. 

The new collection will launch at Balmain's Paris flagship store from 7pm to 9pm July 13, featuring monogrammed 'BK' hoodies and shirts in black, yellow and pink to match Queen Bey's costumes. The merchandise will roll into other Balmain boutiques as well as Harrods, Barneys New York, Net-a-Porter and more retailers the following day July 14.

Beyonce released Coachella merchandise including windbreakers, crewnecks, tees and shorts with Greek letters in April to promote her HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) message. Now Balmain will bring her costume designs to life with a prominent Balmain logo with Greek Deltas replacing the As. 

London's V&A Will Remix 'Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition' Opening Feb. 2, 2019

London's V&A Will Remix 'Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Exhibition' Opening Feb. 2, 2019

London's V&A museum will open a blockbuster fashion exhibition in 2019 focused on Christian Dior's fascination with British culture. Scheduled to be the biggest fashion exhibition since it hosted Alexander McQueen's 'Savage Beauty', the exhibition will examine the total expanse of the House of Dior from 1947 to the present. 

Fashionistas already know about the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition held at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris from summer 2017 until January 2018. The V&A will remix and reimagine the Paris show, surely highlighting the Dior dress worn by Princess Margaret for her 21st birthday celebration. The dress traveled to Paris on loan from the Museum of London, the V&A said. 

The exhibition will also explore Dior's “spectacular fashion shows staged in the UK’s most luxurious stately homes”. The famous fashion designers said "There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much."

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Within the context of current Dior creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri's longstanding commitment to feminism, we must note that many cultural anthropologists and students of feminism believe that Dior's silhouettes and haute couture attitudes actually set back women's rights which were on the move because of women's participation in the WWII war effort. 

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams will open from 2nd February – 14th July 2019 at the V&A Museum. Tickets go on sale in fall 2018.

Eye: Nicholas Ghesquiere Honors Vintage Artistry, Coddington Cats & Leon For Resort 2019

Eye: Nicholas Ghesquiere Honors Vintage Artistry, Coddington Cats & Leon For Resort 2019

When Nicolas Ghesquière renewed his Louis Vuitton contract at the end of May, his Instagram hashtag #notgoinganywhere made headlines. In a fashion industry spinning almost as fast and potentially out of control as a Donald Trump foreign policy speech, Ghesquière’s decision to remain at LVMH brought a stability-loving sigh pf relief. 

The designer brought his vintage style vintage factor to his 2019 resort collection. Ghesquière said he wanted to pay homage to eccentricity. “What is it today to be an original, [someone] who has her own way of dressing? This bricolage . . . you can start a real movement. I love those people who are eccentric.” 

Serena Williams Misses Baby Girl's First Steps, But Perhaps Olympia's Wimbledon Message Was GO MOMMA!

Serena Williams Misses Baby Girl's First Steps, But Perhaps Alexis' Winbledon Message Was GO MOMMA!

Serena Williams missed her baby girl's first steps yesterday. Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, 10 mos, was close by at Wimbledon but not in Serena's presence, when she decided to take off in her first wobbly walk. Serena says she cried with frustration, but I think Alexis Olympia was sending her powerful energy and a "go momma" message.

Obviously healed from her French Open injury where she couldn't even raise her arm to serve, Serena is playing really well at Wimbledon, and anything is possible, writes the Boston Globe.

The GOAT has seven Wimbledon titles to her credit. Whatever happens, Serena is a winner, but we can't help hoping that she causes a major upset. GO MOMMA!!