To publicise their newest store opening in the financial district of New York, make up retailer Sephora launched quite an interesting publicity campaign.Where some New York’s street vendors handed out cups of coffee in a white coffee cup with a bright smear of red lipstick printed near the rim.

Is it disgusting or a very clever marketing ploy?

I think it’s quite amusing, but whether I’d appreciate my morning coffee be “tainted” with a bright lipstick mark on the side is another matter!

For those of you haven’t popped by the Sass & Bide Warehouse sale in Sydney - do it now! (Well during opening hours anyway).

I went during my lunch break and there were table upon tables of stuff - jeans, tees, mini’s, skirts. And racks full of pants, dresses, more tops and even bikini’s.

The most notable item was the dress that was seen recently on both Mischa Barton and Nicky Hilton. With a large handful of them on racks and going for AUD$120 a pop, I’d say it was a bargain.

I picked up a ‘Like it’s Creator’ stovepipe black pants for AUD$40, and for my sister I picked up a pair of dark denim East Village hipsters also AUD$40. Oh and some tops for my friend in Denmark (I’m planning ahead now you see).

So if you get a chance go go go!

• Viktor & Rolf have created a new men’s fragrance – apparently to cure boredom in the men’s fragrance world. So they named it Antidote.

• Sisley are going to be charging US$100 for a 30 ml bottle of their latest fragrance called, Soir de Lune (moonlit night, in English).

• And perennial beauty favourite, L’Occitane, is planning to launch its second body care line inspired by grapes in Autumn. The brand also turned 30 this month.

Fashion Addict Diary suspect Sophie Ward, older sister of supermodel Gemma Ward, had a nose job. Hmmm… I’m not convinced.

She has been modelling on the Australian modelling circut for a few years now, so I’ve seen her in many a fashion show, mainly close up backstage. Back in the days when I was shleping around in the wings hours before the show was due to start - you get to see so much and you realise the models are just regular girls doing a job. Who happen to look pretty and have longer limbs than most people.

But back to Sophie… I don’t think she’s all that striking looking. Uber tall, yes. Clean faced, yes. But destined for the same dizzy heights of a supermodel like little sister Gemma? No.

Though her agent at IMG think so. Then again they have to, they did sign the girl on to their books!

Kit Willow launched her third Willow resort collection in New York last week, themed “Butterfly Kiss”. The former Melbourne girl (she moved to Sydney a year or so ago – so she is not a Sydney native, even though Fashion Week Daily stated otherwise), presented her latest collection designs at Amy Sacco’s Chelsea eatery, Bette, to a list of VIPs including magazine editors for major publications.

Pictured right with actress Michelle Williams and Amy Sacco, it’s amazing Kit is getting so much done while 5 months pregnant.

As for the collection its self were pieces that could take you easily from day to night. In true Willow style the fabrics were natural and the detailing – from pin tucking to the cut of the fabrics were second to none.

With reports that Willow is due to make waves in the US, it’s time to start buying up pieces from her current collection for some “vintage” (and cheap) Willow creations.

If you happen to be in Melbourne this Friday 23, and Saturday 24, June 2006, pop by the Willow 2 day Sale where pieces from recent collections will be up to 50% off.

The Louis Vuitton Damier checkerboard print has a new friend.

The Damier Azur.

“While the classic Louis Vuitton Damier checkerboard print is about achieving the ultimate in urban lifestyles, its new cousin, the Damier Azur, evokes the glamorous and relaxed beachside resort lifestyle of the French Riviera.

Exact prices could not be learned, but are estimated to be just slightly higher than the current Damier line, which ranges from $590 to $1,740 for handbags and $150 to $560 for small leather goods.

A separate ad campaign—separate from a series of visuals shot by Patrick Demarchelier on display at a recent resort showing—has been created for this launch” - FashionWeekDaily

Set to be launched during the cruise period as a permanent collection, you can pick up one in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide in November 2006.

It will be available on the classic Louis Vuitton bags: Speedy, Keepall, and Noé. With new Vuitton tote bags, vanity case and trinket box also blazened in the Damier Azur pattern.

For more pictures, Elle.com have some fantastic ones where everything seemed to be LV themed.

Not much has been going on in the world me - or the world of fashion. Besides the odd zillion sales going on at the moment. Which I am avoiding fantastically well (what a shocker). Though it definitely helped that Suz was in town and we hung out and did girlie stuff all weekend.

A few notable news bites…

• Gisele Bundchen is the most powerful model according to this month’s Forbes list, beating Kate Moss by a mere 5 places.
• With Wimbledon coming up, it seems the tennis “championships” are in Vogue again.

A sale where there is everything a girl could need at Rescu Bar.

Incuding:

Pout lip gloss
Cargo Eyeshadow
Joey New York Egg Cream Cleanser
Ole Henriksen Foot Fetish

While you’re there… pick up some Marvis Ginger Mint toothpaste.

Just because it sounds interesting…

The designer clothes as (soon to be) seen in the highly anticipated movie, The Devil Wear’s Prada, are to be sold on eBay starting this Sunday, June 25 2006, in anticipation of the movie release in the USA on June 30th.

It includes pieces from Valentino, Calvin Klein, Armani, Bill Blass, and of course Prada. A percentage of all proceeds will go to Dress for Success, a charity which helps low-income women by encouraging self- sufficiency through career development.

The pieces worn by Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway were reportedly were not dry cleaned during the filming of the movie, so I hope the pieces that go on sale on eBay have been sent to the cleaners before the successful bidders receive their goods!

Otherwise they will receive quite a stinker of a surprise in the mail… (sorry I couldn’t help the pun - really)

For a list of some of the designer pieces available on ebay, visit: FashionTribes.Typepad.com

Some for new stills from the movie, check out: BlackFilm.com