STARRY, STARRY NIGHT: It looks like brunettes will have a slight edge over blondes in the front row at Dior’s 60th anniversary show and party tonight at Versailles. Among the celebrities expected are Monica Bellucci, Eva Green, Juliette Binoche and Jessica Alba. Charlize Theron and Kate Hudson likely will be heading up the blonde contingent, but also expect a smattering of Spaniards, given couturier John Galliano‘s recent trip to Seville. Among those expected are Pedro Almodóvar and bullfighter Miguel Abellán.
SHOW BUSINESS: On the eve of his own fashion shows — one for his signature label, plus his debut at Dior Homme — Belgian designer Kris Van Assche slipped into John Galliano‘s apocalyptic show Thursday night as men’s fashion week kicked into gear in Paris. “I didn’t know if I’d be able to come, but I’m actually finished — at least with my own collection,” Van Assche said. It was his first time taking in a Galliano extravaganza and Van Assche confessed he had yet to spend any quality time with his Dior stablemate. “We haven’t had a chance,” he shrugged.
FRENCH FANCY: Frostfrench will open its first stand-alone store in London’s hip Camden neighborhood in September, to coincide with London Fashion Week. “We want there to be a sense of discovery with it,” said Jemima French, who, with co-founder Sadie Frost, showed the brand’s fall collection last week. The 1,000-square-foot shop will carry the brand’s entire lineup, which retails from 60 pounds, or $119, for a jersey top to 300 pounds, or $599, for a silk cocktail dress. French said there also will be regular deliveries of newly designed pieces. During a theatrical presentation in London’s Soho, Frost, French and recently appointed head of design Jim Coughlan showcased a 46-piece fall line, which includes dance-inspired cashmere jogging pants, fishnet print tops, tailored velvet pieces and sequined capes.
MAC AND TEESE: “I love to see Dita naked,” joked Rosario Dawson after Dita Von Teese stripped to show her support for the MAC AIDS Fund at a London soiree Wednesday. “She’s a goddess,” chimed in Jesse Metcalf, who was in town working on a record deal. The doyenne of burlesque, who is the current spokeswoman for MAC’s Viva Glam lipstick, which funds the AIDS charity, frolicked on a motorized lipstick wearing nothing but a crystal-embellished thong, cowboy hat and some strategically placed tassels. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” exclaimed Jasmine Guinness. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and his daughter, Mia, also turned out for the show. For Dawson, who screened her first film production effort Friday, and designer Henry Holland, the glitzy fete was a soothing return to normalcy after attending England’s famously swampish Glastonbury music festival. “I had mud up to here,” said Dawson, indicating her chin before smoothing down her silver brocade Moschino dress.
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SHOP TALK: Yohji Yamamoto’s exhibition at Antwerp’s MoMu museum last year was a sign of bigger things to come. Next up, the designer is set to open his largest store yet in the fashionable Belgian city. The 10,000-square-foot boutique, slated to open in September, will replace the museum’s restaurant plus some temporary exhibition space. The designer’s Yohji Yamamoto, Y’s and Y’s Mandarina lines will be housed in the store, as will his soon-to-be-unveiled jewelry collaboration with Japanese pearl specialist Mikimoto. The designer also has made space for a lecture area for fashion students from the Flanders Fashion Institute that’s housed in the same complex, as well as for his daughter Limi Yamamoto‘s collection.