Versace Heiress Hits Out at Top Designers

Fashion heiress Francesca Versace has criticized Stella McCartney for using supermodels when she presented her end-of-course fashion show at London's St. Martin's College.

The stylish 23-year-old student, who is the niece of iconic designers Gianni and Donatella Versace, counts a number of leading catwalk models as close friends -- but she doesn't want their fame to detract from her clothes when she presents her designs.

However, the budding McCartney -- now 33 -- had no reservations about recruiting Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell to strut their stuff on the college catwalk.

Versace says, "I don't think it's appropriate to use supermodels in a college show. I know Naomi and Eva Herzigova but I wouldn't ask them.

"I want people to concentrate on my clothes."

Designer Macdonald Slams Anti-Fur Anderson

British designer Julien Macdonald has hit back at high-profile anti-fur campaigner Pamela Anderson, telling her she can "piss off."

Macdonald invited the former "Baywatch" star to attend his London Fashion Week show earlier this week but was rebuffed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals spokesperson Anderson for his use of fur in fashion.

Anderson replied to Macdonald's invitation: "I truly appreciate (it).

"I'm hoping you can extend your kindness to include animals. If you stop using fur; I'd be thrilled to attend a show yours in the future."

Wednesday Macdonald responded to Anderson's rejection, saying, "People who don't like fur can piss off. I love fur. It's a beautiful, natural product from animals."

PETA has blamed flamboyant Macdonald for perpetuating cruelty to animals, but it praises a wealth of designers for refusing to work with animal pelts.

A spokesperson for the organization says, "This animal cruelty will only stop when people stop buying Julien's designs and let him know that in the 21st century the killing of animals for their fur is unacceptable.

"The truly talented visionaries, like Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Vivienne Westwood, are able to design beautiful, fashionable, popular clothing without getting blood on their hands."

Versace's Daughter Battling Anorexia

Fashion queen Donatella Versace's daughter Allegra is under medical care, battling a serious eating disorder.

The Versace heir's father, Paul Beck, has released a statement confirming his daughter is anorexic.

He writes, "Allegra has been battling anorexia, a very serious disease, for many years. She is receiving the best medical care possible to help overcome this illness and is responding well.

"We are doing our best to protect our daughter.

"However, due to numerous media reports, we want to let everyone know that we appreciate their concern for Allegra, and we ask that her privacy be respected at this time."

Donatella, 52, has expressed her heartache and has admitted Allegra was being "consumed" by the illness, and pleaded with the media to "respect our pain."
She says, "My daughter is very ill. Anorexia is consuming her and we are very worried.

However, the doctors are doing all they can to snatch her away from this cruel disease and we have faith in them.

"Please think of us and respect our pain. Many mothers will know well what I am going through and what my daughter is risking."

Beckhams Clash With Ralph Lauren Over Children's photos

David and Victoria Beckham are reportedly furious with their celebrity designer pal Ralph Lauren after discovering he sent photographs of their sons Brooklyn and Romeo to the press.

The Beckhams are allegedly outraged paparazzi pictures of their sons wearing clothes from the fashion house at the christening of Geri Halliwell's daughter last weekend have been circulated without their approval.

A source tells Britain's The Sun, "Neither of them gave their consent for this -- as far as they were concerned they went to a friend's private christening with their kids. It's one thing if they are on the red carpet or at a showbiz bash, but this is just ridiculous -- and totally irresponsible.

"They couldn't believe that Ralph Lauren seemed to be going out of its way to encourage people to use pictures of their children. It's exploitative and was clearly done to boost sales of the clothes."

Will.i.am Launches Denim Fashion Line

The Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am is to launch his own denim fashion line, called i.am Antik.

The rapper/producer -- real name William James Adams Jr. -- has teamed up with fashion house Blue Holdings Inc. to design the new high-end clothing range, which is scheduled to hit stores in August 2007.

The 32-year-old was a student at the Fashion Institute of Design in Los Angeles before finding chart success with the hip-hop group, and is "excited" at the prospect of moving into the clothing industry.

He tells AllHipHop.com, "I produce and write my own music, and the same creativity, energy and imagination I put into making music is the same creativity, energy and imagination I put into designing clothes. I am excited to collaborate with Antik to create a fresh remix of denim.

"I want to design the line and score it the way a composer scores a film and tour the collection like a band will tour an album. I want to make a fresh stylistic collection that everyone wants but limited and special to keep them looking for more."

Kate Moss fashion range nets Topshop £3m in a week

The Kate Moss fashion range at Topshop generated sales of around £3 million in its first week, it emerged today.

That figure exceeded the chain's target by "quite a long way", a spokeswoman said.

Thousands of shoppers queued outside Topshop's flagship London store for the April 30 launch.

The 33-year-old supermodel was paid a reported £3 million to create the collection.

Her fashion range launched in New York last week and in Stockholm earlier this week.

Describing the £3 million sales generated in the first week in the UK, a Topshop spokeswoman said: "We are really surprised and excited that it was so successful because we have never done any collaboration like this before."

New items in the Kate Moss collection went on sale last week, the chain said.

Publicity generated by media coverage of the UK launch was worth an additional £2 million to £3 million to Topshop, according to a report in industry magazine Retail Week.

Sir Philip Green, boss of Arcadia Group which includes Topshop, now aims to launch the fashion chain in the US.

Copyright Press Association 2007.

Lindsay Lohan tops Maxim's Hot 100 list

Lindsay Lohan topped Maxim Magazine's 8th annual Hot 100 list replacing Eva Longoria who held the top spot for two years.

Joining Lohan on the Top 10 list are Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Biel, Ali Larter, Eva Mendes, Rihanna, Eva Longoria and Fergie.

Thrilled by the news, Lohan said "I couldn't be more flattered to be honored as the number 1 girl in Maxim's Hot 100 list!"

Lohan joins past #1 picks, Eva Longoria (2006 & 2005), Jessica Simpson (2004), Christina Aguilera (2003), Jennifer Garner (2002) and Jessica Alba (2001).

Lohan debuted on the MAXIM Hot 100 list at #4 in 2005, and was #3 on the list last year.

Other notable selections include Ashlee Simpson (#16), Megan Fox (#18), Kate Beckinsale (#21), Hilary Duff (#23), Sophia Bush (#24), Kate Hudson (#27), and Ashley Olsen (#37). Just as notable as who made the list this year are some of the women that didn't make the cut, which include Mary Kate Olsen, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston and Britney Spears.

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