loose threads

Beyoncé Posts an Open Letter to Michelle Obama; Morgan Stanley Worried About Gucci

Jessica Chastain's <em>T</em> cover.
Jessica Chastain’s T cover.

Beyoncé penned (as in, handwrote) an endearing letter to Michelle Obama. An excerpt: “Thank you so much for every single thing that u do for us — I am proud to have my daughter grow up in a world where she has people like you to look up to.” [Beyonce.com]

• Jessica Chastain, “a newly minted star in an Old Hollywood mold,” wears a yellow top and magenta lipstick on T’s Summer Fashion and Beauty cover. [Fashion Copious]

Gilt Groupe co-founders Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson’s book, By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop, will be released this week. [Style.com]

Morgan Stanley downgraded PPR’s stock after worries that Gucci would underperform among its luxury peers. [Bloomberg]

Missoni and Converse’s latest zigzagged sneakers hit stores Saturday. [The Moment]

Of her post-pregnancy style decisions, Natalie Portman said: “I’ve been trying to look more like a lady recently. I used to be happy in a T-shirt and sweatpants, and now I feel like I want to make myself a little more grown up — now that I’m a mom.” [WWD]

The infamous “how to date a Wall Street guy” matchmaker, Samantha Daniels, advises against wearing black on dates. [Shift/Buzzfeed]

Jimmy Choo and neo-pop artist Rob Pruitt will partner on a capsule cruise collection of handbags, shoes, and leather accessories for spring 2013. [Vogue UK]

• Lauren Santo Domingo is reportedly pregnant with her second child. (But it’s not official until she tweets about it, of course.) [NYP]

Alice + Olivia’s Stacey Bendet will design a miniskirt to celebrate the new Magnum Mini ice-cream bars. [Fashionista]

Philip Treacy on designing Madonna’s Super Bowl hat: “We make all of the pieces in 3D before we start, so we can judge on the proportions or detailing, so everything needs a mock-up … It’s about people putting their artistic expertise into something that makes the wearer look beautiful.” [Telegraph UK]

Beyoncé Writes to Michelle Obama; Gucci Worries