loose threads

See Banana Republic’s Anna Karenina–Inspired Collection; Marie Claire Puts Kate Middleton on Its Cover

<em>Almost</em> believable!
Almost believable! Photo: Marie Claire South Africa

• Here’s a look at Banana Republic’s Anna Karenina–inspired collection. [WWD]

• Kate Middleton covers Marie Claire South Africa’s August 2012 issue. Just kidding! It’s a “fan art tribute” a.k.a. Photoshop fest. [Telegraph UK]

• Beginning July 30, Louis Vuitton plans to offer a new service allowing customers to create their own bespoke handbags. There are 80,000 possible variations. [Vogue UK]

• Former model Heather Cole launched Camp Fashion Design, which teaches teen girls industry basics. [NYDN]

• Eyeglass purveyor Warby Parker signed a lease for its first permanent store at 121 Greene Street in Soho. [Observer]

• Editors and other fashion folk weighed in on Katie Holmes’s clothing choices and behavior following her split from Tom Cruise. [NYT]

• The Times also compared Tom Cruise’s marriages to Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman. [NYT]

• Carolina Herrera will receive the Superstar award at the Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars gala this fall. [WWD]

• Brits can breathe a sigh of relief: Victoria’s Secret’s first U.K. store, situated in Stratford’s Westfield shopping center, will open on July 24. Only the opening of other location, on Bond Street, has been postponed. [Telegraph UK]

• Lenny Kravitz wants to take Kravitz Design (his furniture, bedding, and clothing company) global. He told CNN, “The plan is to make it a lifestyle brand … my dream for this company. In the same way you would see Ralph Lauren or Giorgio Armani.” [CNN via Page Six/NYP]

• Mario Testino started a new not-for-profit culture organization in his native Lima, Peru, called Mate. [Vogue UK]

• Survey says runners prefer specialty boutiques to shopping online. [NYDN]

Banana Republic’s Karenina Line; K-Mid’s Cover