Not-so-kinky Calvin

After all the hoopla about a racy billboard on Lafayette and Houston in New York City, Calvin Klein decided to replace it with this far tamer hot-girl-in-a-swimsuit ad. Boo, Calvin. Boo.

Kinky Calvin

New Yorkers are making a big stink about the racey Calvin Klein Jeans ad on Houston and Lafayette. It's basically a still shot taken from their too-hot-for-TV ad campaign shot by Steven Meisel. And yet, the billboard has been there for a while Klein is a bone fide purveyor of racy ads. The big names at Calvin Klein couldn't be happier. Menswear designer Italo Zucchelli agrees, "I think it is a fantastic campaign. That is what Calvin Klein Jeans is supposed to be. Everyone needs to be scandalized and screaming. That is what we want." Head of womanswear Francisco Costa says -- most likely with a hair toss -- “Please! It’s so, like, old news. Don’t you think we should be a little ashamed for even having to discuss? I mean, it’s great for us. So if you want to talk about it, let’s talk about it. But there was no intention of making that controversial. Just make beautiful ads. And they’re beautiful ads. And I think, you know, we’re such a forward society, but we tend to be a little prudish sometimes. It’s New York City! It’s the 21st century! Honey, we have to move on! We have to move on.” And even if a few sticks in the mud aren't moving on, they'd better get used to the hot-spot on Houston, because CK just released the F/W underwear ad that will replace the current threesome in a couple of months:

Enough said.

via The Cut and WWD

Quickies: British GQ Slams Beth Ditto, Karl Lagerfeld Slams The Klum's, Joseph Abboud Gets His Name back, +

British GQ editor Alex Blimes thinks Beth Ditto is hardly more than a fat lesbian, unworthy of all the attention she's getting in the fashion world. [The Cut] 

In Karl Lagerfeld news, he had this to say about Heidi Klum and Seal: "I am no dermatologist but I wouldn't want his skin. Mine looks better than his. He is covered in craters." Ouch. But, his teddy bear is now available for just $1,000! You can bet Seal won't be purchasing. [Sun UK] and [Racked]

Joseph Abboud got his name back. After settling a two year old legal battle, the designer can now use his name in association with his menswear line, Jaz. [WWD]

How exactly do you pronounce Thierry Mugler and other foreign designer names? The Moment gives you tools so you don't look like a fashion fool. [The Moment]

Scarlett Johansson may be the face of Mango's women's line, but for their menswear campaign they chose Max Irons. That would be the son of British actor Jeremy. [WWD]

This little sit down at Il Cantinori with Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs is too cute. [Style]

BEHOLD

The newest David Beckham for Armani underwear ad. Not surprisingly, it caused mass hysteria in London today when it was unveiled at Selfridge's. 

Emma Watson Bewitches Burberry

While the boys look sharp as ever in Burberry's new F/W ad campaign, how could you not be entirely entranced by the radiant Emma Watson? Shot by Mario Testino, she of buttoned up, tweeny Harry Potter fame now looks chic, and, yes, mature. At the tender age of 19, Miss Watson is a chicly potent antidote to the sloppy, extended teenagehood splashed across television. 

Jesus Luiz For Dolce & Gabbana

With the golden hand of Madonna, you, too, can land a Dolce & Gabbana F/W 09 ad campaign. In his first major campaign, yes, that's Mr. Jesus Luiz himself placed very prominently on the right hand side of the photo, while real top male models David Gandy, Noah Mills, Adam Senn and Julianne Quevenne linger in the background. Shot my Steven Klein, the ad is as sultry and seductive as you'd expect from D&G. 

Alain Delon for Christian Dior Eau Sauvage

French Actor Alain Delon was born in 1935. The photo of Delon used in Dior's new ad for their classic fragrance Eau Salvage was taken in 1966, the year the scent launched. Some might call it risky to use a severely out-dated picture for a current ad campaign, but, according to Dior, Delon is a "living myth," and a good myth doesn't age. Kind of the like the enduring Eau Salvage.

via Now Smell This

Quickies: Jesus Might Join Madonna in LV, Zac Effron Shirtless +

Is Madonna's boy toy, Jesus Luz, joining her in the F/W Louis Vuitton campaign? Please make it so. [Made in Brazil] 

Sun-in and sandals with socks making a comeback? Is it 1997 up in here? [Times of London] and [Just Jared]

Look! Zac Efron shirtless in GQ! [DListed] 

Menswear indubitably inspires womenswear. Here's proof. [WWD]

Quickies: Madonna For LV Again, Project Runway Casting, +

According to Twitter, Madonna will again bend and stretch for Louis Vuitton's F/W 09 campaign, shot by Steven Meisel, uh again. [Fashionolgie] 

Even though we have no idea when the next season will air, hopeful designers can submit their portfolios for the next season of Project Runway. 

Is French ELLE starting a trend among fashion mags? In their most recent issue they're featuring stars without makeup (i.e. photoshopping). [Bust Blog] 

Topshop has been withholding entrance to their Soho flagship in order to draw more attention to the store. What's next, a guest list and celebrities? [NYP]

Puma and YSL are launching a men's sneaker, which will only be available in the U.S. on YSL's e-commerce site. [WWD]

Assistants at Vogue are pulling double duty as they fill in the void left by fired receptionists. Glamour, demystified. [FWD]

Sneak Peek: Patrick Ervell's Ad Campaign

Refinery 29 broke the first image from Patrick Ervell's Spring ad campaign, shot exclusively for V Magazine by KT Auleta with set design by Matthew Mazzucca. Stripe Hype, indeed.