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This installment:

Julien Macdonald to Substitute
Alexander McQueen at Givenchy 
LVMH to Distribute Kenneth Cole's
Fragrance and Body Products
Makeup Guru Linda Cantello Launches Signature Makeup Line
Levi's Superlow Jeans Are All The Rage Amongst Young American Women

| Givenchy | Kenneth Cole | Linda Cantello | Superlows |

Givenchy >

Paris (France) - Givenchy reports it has decided not to renew the contract with its existing designer, Alexander McQueen, and has announced the appointment of Julien Macdonald as Artistic Director for Women of the Haute Couture House.

"For me, it's a dream come true. I love the sacred art of couture and being given the chance to design for such an amazing house is a fabulous opportunity," said Macdonald, who brings a love of fabrics, knit, cut and glamour to the House on the eve of its 50th Anniversary next year.

Julien Macdonald, 28, comes to Givenchy after founding his own company in 1997. Prior to that, he was the head knitwear designer at Chanel Couture. While he first wanted to be an actor, he discovered his passion for fabrics and enrolled at the Brighton University and then completed a Master of Arts at the Royal College of Art. During his fashion studies, Macdonald worked for cutting-edge designers including Koji Tatsuno.

Givenchy president, Marianne Tesler, commented, "Macdonald’s design sensibility very representative of the Givenchy woman - classy, modern, elegant, sexy and feminine."  

In related news, Kenneth Cole and LVMH Parfums Givenchy, Inc. announced on March 19^th that they have entered into an agreement giving LVMH's American Designer Fragrance Division the exclusive worldwide license for Kenneth Cole fragrance and body products.

Plans include the launch of both men's and women's fragrance lines for all three of Cole's distinct brands: Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole and Unlisted. The first of these is expected to launch for fall 2002.

Camille McDonald, President and CEO of Parfums Givenchy, Inc., said, "Our intention is not just to build a fragrance brand, but rather to build a market-leading fragrance company."

Designer Kenneth Cole founded his company, Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., in December of 1982. Today it manufactures internationally and distributes men's and women's footwear, accessories and clothing. Since the company went public in June of 1994, it has consistently been named to Forbes' annual list of the World's 200 Best Small Companies in America and Business Week's top Hot Growth Companies.

LVMH's American Designer Fragrance Division, established through Parfums Givenchy Inc., includes fashion designers Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs. The first fragrance line launched by the division, 'Michael,' by Michael Kors in fall 2000 received strong consumer response. In September of 2001, the division will launch a man's fragrance from Michael Kors, and will debut the highly anticipated fragrance line from Marc Jacobs.

New York (USA) – Linda Cantello, one of the world's most respected and experienced make-up artists, launches her signature makeup and skin care line this April. Aptly called "Linda Cantello," and after several delays, the collection will first be available in the US and England.

Speaking with Fashionclick.com, Cantello explained the philosophy behind her new line, "We actually have an expression. It’s "Clean color, adjustable skin care for the 21^st century." And it’s basically 21^st century technology and integrity, because I think lots of people lay claim to different makeup and it’s not true. The makeup line I’ve done really does do what I say it does. The products and colors do do what I say they do."

Linda Cantello's words are strong, but it is the strength of experience. Her career started in the early 80s and, since then, she has worked with top names in the worlds of fashion and beauty. She has also been commissioned by MAC and Kanebo to recast their color lines; has worked in high-luxury advertising campaigns (Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Cerruti, Ungaro;) and collaborated with top photographers (Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier) as well as with the best fashion and beauty publications.

Her list of fashion designer clients is a true who's who of fashion including Helmut Lang, Prada, Calvin Klein and Versace. Celebrities such as Elton John, Uma Thurman, Tom Hanks or Björk have also been touched by her expertise. Cantello states, "I have worked on countless runway shows. I’m not some kind of upstart who came along and said ‘ok, I’ve done two shows and I can do a makeup line.’ I really do have experience and I’m trying to bring that to the real woman. I’m a real woman and I wanted to translate what I do, to make it accessible to every woman. I want every woman to feel as sexy and good about herself as she can."

Featuring high-tech packaging with a blue iridescent finish (for a 21st century look) with a 30s inspired logo (for a touch of glamour), Linda Cantello cosmetics will launch with 75 products. The star of the collection is its "Forget Foundation," a mousse skin perfector that uses light diffusers and minimal pigment that enhances glow while blurring imperfections. Cantello cosmetics is expected to do US$3.5 million at retail in the first 12 months.

San Francisco (California) – If you’ve got it, flaunt it. This celebrity philosophy is building momentum with hipsters across America sporting sexy, mid-rift revealing Superlows, the latest jeans from Levi’s. Perfect for spring, these extra low-slung, trim-fit, hip-hugging jeans are comfortable but hot enough to wear out on the town for a confident, sexy look.

Customized Superlows were first spotted on Jennifer Lopez on her pre-Super Bowl TRL performance on MTV in January. Her jeans were studded and bedazzled with colorful crystals spelling out her popular nickname, "J. Lo." They are also a favorite of singers Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige, as well as Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Davis from "Sex In The City," to name a few.

"They are the perfect combination of a slimming, sexy and feminine fit with the comfort, ease and versatility of our favorite fabric, denim," said Maggie Winkel, who leads the women’s product development team in San Francisco.

Levi’s Superlows first hit the stores during the holiday 2000 season, and now explode onto the scene for spring. They are available in the 502, a button fly and straight leg style, and the 518, a zipper fly and boot cut silhouette in a host of finishes, including dark stone wash, faded light (bleached), dark worn-in and super light damaged.

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Images (from top to bottom): 1 © Givenchy; 2 © 2000 Kenneth Cole; 3 © Linda Cantello Cosmetics; 4 © Freddy Galiani. All rights reserved. 5 and 6 © Levi´s.