loose threads

Michelle Obama’s Newsweek Cover; Karl Lagerfeld Collaborates With Hogan

• Michelle Obama graces the cover of Newsweek this week wearing the same Narciso Rodriguez blue dress she wore last week to meet the First Lady of Greece. [Mrs. O]

Karl Lagerfeld and Hogan will release a onetime collaboration collection for spring 2011. [WWD]

• Today would have been Alexander McQueen’s 41st birthday. [Stylelist]

• Ramona Singer of The Real Housewives of New York City will expand her HSN jewelry and skin-care collections to also include handbags. [Racked NY]

• Rumors are circulating that Alberto Marani is about to land a huge job working for a French fashion house. The designer assisted Gianfranco Ferré at Christian Dior in the nineties, and currently consults for three labels and produces his own line. [Fashionologie]

• Urban Outfitters will open a second Upper West Side location at 2625 Broadway near 99th Street. [My Upper West]

• Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the British Clothing Industry last night. The Queen greeted all 350 guests individually. [Telegraph UK]

• Lauren by Ralph Lauren will present its new collection with an online fashion show today. It will feature 21 looks with live commentary from Hearst magazine editors. [WWD]

• Versace is pulling out of Japan, but Michael Kors will open his first store there in September. [WWD]

• In fact, Louis Vuitton just opened a store in Japan this month. [WWD]

Michelle Obama’s Newsweek Cover; Karl Lagerfeld Collaborates With Hogan