DOWN AND DIRTY: Alexander McQueen is back to his theatrical ways. Tonight, to launch his McQ Alexander McQueen second line during men’s fashion week in Milan, the British designer is taking over an abandoned post office, appointing it with pool tables, pinball machines and old couches for a concert by The Ludes, an explosive ska, punk and reggae-influenced rock band from South London, followed by a set by New York’s DJ Miss Guy. As for the denim-based McQ line, produced by SINV SpA, look out for Sixties-inspired “rocker gang” looks on the backs of some of the partyers: a few dozen girls and boys the designer cast from the street.
SMOOTH OPERATOR: Phoebe Philo won’t be around to help Chloé celebrate its new Avenue Montaigne boutique come couture week in Paris — but Bryan Ferry will. The suave singer has been tapped to perform at the Jan. 24 bash at the swank Hotel de la Monnaie.
TEE TIME: Celine is teeing up for some glamour on the green. The French luxury firm will launch its first golf collection for summer retailing. Dubbed Golf Open, the line boasts white cotton shorts and pants, polo shirts, cardigans with chain motifs and accessories such as a beige saddlebag, a leather case for golf balls, golf shoes, sunglasses and a visor. The sportswear ranges between 140 euros ($168) for a polo shirt and 380 euros ($457) for the cardigan, while the bag will retail at 475 euros ($571). Dollar figures are converted from euros at the current exchange rate.
CARDIN CAPERS: Pierre Cardin is known for his secretive nature: he is said to have bought all of the copies of his last biography to keep it out of the public realm. Now he’s the subject of a new book: “Pierre Cardin, Le Dernier Empereur.” It is to be published in France this March (Editions No. 1). The futuristic couturier had no knowledge of the tome’s existence, despite the fact that it is penned by one of his close collaborators, Sylvana Lorenz, who works at the designer’s Espace Cardin, which organizes cultural events in Paris. Secrecy aside, the book is hardly juicy. It’s more of a paean to the designer’s rich life, save a couple of scenes about Cardin’s long romance with actress Jeanne Moreau.