loose threads

JWOWW Hits the Shows! And Spanx Comes Out With a New Men’s Product

• Skater Johnny Weir wants to launch his own collection and stores. When asked if he was keeping up with Fashion Week while at the Olympics, his costume designer replied, “I imagine he is. That would be like him giving up water.” [WWD]

• JWOWW took her front-row seat wearing an electric-blue Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier dress at the Kardashians’ Bebe show yesterday. [Heard on the Runway/WSJ]

• At Sophie Theallet, André Leon Talley turned himself toward the bank of photographers rather than the entrance where the models emerged, to facilitate a better photo op. [Heard on the Runway/WSJ]

• In an attempt to appease the need for instant gratification, designers including Norma Kamali, Cynthia Rowley, Rebecca Minkoff, Proenza Schouler, and Burberry are starting to sell items from their latest collections online immediately following their shows. Derek Lam will start testing a similar strategy later this year. Proenza Shouler will also be joining the live-streaming crowd: Their show will air tonight at 8 p.m on their website. [WSJ, Fashionologie]

• Spanx creator Sara Blakely is developing a new product for men: compression bottoms. [Heard on the Runway/WSJ]

• The Daughters of the American Revolution are criticizing Ralph Lauren for the huge Polo logo adorning Team USA Olympic uniforms. [Page Six/NYP]

• John Malkovich debuted his menswear collection for a small group of editors and buyers this week. [Page Six/NYP]

• LVMH CEO Pierre-Yves Roussel sat in the front row at Rodarte for the second season in a row, fueling more rumors about the pair joining the LVMH portfolio. “We still love what they do,” he replied when asked. [Fashionologie]

• A theory on the proliferation of velvet this week: “They must go to Mood, one at a time, and the salesperson whispers to one, ‘Hey, Marc bought velvet,’ and to the next, ‘Hey, Alex bought loads of velvet,’ and to another, ‘Listen, everyone major’s doing velvet.’” [Fashionista]

• Lady Gaga dedicated her subdued performance at the Brit Awards to Alexander McQueen, singing at a white piano while wearing the Armadillo shoes. [Vogue UK]

• Italian newspapers are bashing Anna Wintour for rearranging Milan’s Fashion Week schedule. Milan mayor Letizia Moratti declared, “Nobody, not even if her name is Anna Wintour, can take the liberty to do and undo our fashion calendar. For this reason, we must all work united.” [Vogue UK]

• Net-a-Porter launched its revamped bridal boutique yesterday, offering gowns from Lanvin, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, and more. [FabSugar]

JWOWW Hits the Shows! And Spanx Comes Out With a New Men’s Product