loose threads

Lacoste May Be Close to Hiring a New Designer; Julianne Moore’s Bulgari Ad Banned in Venice

• Felipe Oliveira Baptista will reportedly be named creative director of Lacoste, succeeding Christophe Lemaire. [WWD]

• L.A. boutique Kitson reportedly bought $239,437 worth of clothing from Nicole Richie’s Winter Kate line, and has yet to pay for it. Richie plans on taking legal action. [Refinery 29]

• The Bulgari ad in which Julianne Moore lounges naked with some lion cubs has been banned from display in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square because the mayor doesn’t want naked people on billboards there. [Racked]

• More images from Cindy Crawford’s campaign for Russian label Tsum have been released. [Design Scene]

• Jerry Hall on clogs: “I wouldn’t wear clogs. I have very, very big feet so clogs, for me, would look like little boats!” Raquel Zimmermann was also unenthusiastic: “No way, the thought of your foot not being able to bend, yeuch!” [Telegraph UK, Telegraph UK]

• Jones Apparel Group Inc. signed a deal with Brian Atwood to create a contemporary shoe line. B Brian Atwood footwear will hit stores in fall 2011, and prices are expected to range from $200 to $500. [WWD]

• The Gores Group recently took a majority stake in J. Mendel, marking one of the group’s first deals in the fashion and luxury sector. [WWD]

Alexander Wang denied rumors that he’s searching for a new chief executive. [WWD]

• Golfer Greg Norman is launching a lifestyle collection at Macy’s next January. [WWD]

• Nike has released a drawing of a sneaker they’re developing that will be able to tie itself with an “automatic lacing system.” Because tying shoes is such a time-suck. [NYDN]

• New Yorkers feel “grossed out” when hosts ask them to remove their shoes at parties. [NYP]

Lacoste May Be Close to Hiring a New Designer; Julianne Moore’s Bulgari Ad Banned in Venice