loose threads

Karolina Kurkova and Andrej Pejic Were Photographed for the New Jean Paul Gaultier Ads; See the First Shots of Gemma Ward as a Mermaid

Karolina Kurkova and androgynous model Andrej Pejic were shot for Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest ads, and Kurkova posted a picture of herself with Pejic on her Facebook profile. [Jezebel]

• A new trailer for Pirates of the Caribbean 4 shows Gemma Ward as a mermaid. [Fashionologie]

• Neiman Marcus is experiencing some major staff reshuffling under new president Jim Gold. [WWD]

• Condé Nast’s parent company just raised $500 million for a mergers and acquisitions deal, which means they might be in shopping mode. [All Things Digital]

Christian Lacroix will serve as art director for a forthcoming exhibit, “The Orient of Women,” at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. He’ll personally select 150 pieces of traditional Middle Eastern clothing and accessories for the show, which will open in February. [WWD]

• Christian Louboutin: “When I started, I remember people saying, ‘Oh my God, I can’t walk in that!’ It was like, three inches — they look like kitten heels now. The low cleavage I was doing was considered too sexy, but now what I call a low cleavage is much lower. It’s really very much a mental shift. I remember doing very pointy lasts. People would say, ‘I like the shoe, but it’s too pointy.’ And then the year after, it’s fine.” [Style File]

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized about $100,000 worth of counterfeit Nike, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ed Hardy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, and DC Shoes merchandise from three stores in Abilene, Texas. [WWD]

• Fabrics like Cupro, MicroModal, Tencel, viscose, and rayon are becoming popular with denim designers, thanks to rising cotton prices. [WWD]

• Some holiday decorating tips from Simon Doonan: “If you are a Facebook addict, then your favorite hero is undoubtedly — drumroll! — YOU! So why not vomit your entire Facebook page onto your tree? Start by collaging and decoupaging the faces of your “friends” onto your holiday orbs. Sharpie their names, along with disparaging or complimentary remarks about them, onto white satin ribbons. Strew liberally. Now dismember your old discarded computers and swag your tree with colored wires, cables, circuit boards and hard drives. Glue your face to a cutout cardboard star and — voilà! — you can become your very own tree-topper.” [Slate]

Karolina Kurkova and Andrej Pejic Were Photographed for the New Jean Paul Gaultier Ads; See the First Shots of Gemma Ward as a Mermaid