GUCCI WEBCAST: Gucci is to broadcast live on its Web site its 2009 cruise runway show at Villa Aurelia in Rome next week, as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of its store in the Italian capital. Unlike a previous live Webcast of Gucci's cruise catwalk in 2006, which only could be accessed by password by select fashion editors, journalists and retailers in Europe and Asia, members of the public also will be able to view the Tuesday show in real time on gucci.com from 8 p.m. local time. Gucci testimonials actors Claire Danes and James Franco, and Danes' actor boyfriend, Hugh Dancy, are among those penciled in to attend the event, which is rumored to include a performance by British electronic group Goldfrapp.
— Andrew Roberts
WILL IT BE PINK?: The Financial Times launched a magazine in China aimed at the country's growing business elite. The monthly magazine, Rui (the Chinese word that means intelligence), will be the first Chinese-language magazine to be published by the FT, said a spokeswoman. According to reports, the title will have original content as well as stories translated from FT publications, including "How to Spend It" and "FT Wealth."
— Amy Wicks
ONE STUDIO, SEVERAL MAGAZINES, MUCH CONFUSION: Looks like Michelle Obama wasn't shot for Essence after all while she was in town two weeks ago for a fund-raiser with New York's fashion elite and her stint cohosting "The View." At the time, an Essence spokeswoman declined comment on whether the potential first lady was photographed for the magazine. But Harriette Cole, creative director for Ebony, confirmed Wednesday that Obama was shot at Industria Studios for an upcoming issue of her magazine — and she should know, since she presided over the shoot. So why did some assume Obama was being shot for Essence? Because Essence, Ebony and Vibe — as well as W — were all photographing various magazine spreads at Industria the same day, an occurrence Cole said had not happened in her 10 years at Ebony. Obama's arrival naturally caused a stir among the editors in the building. "Everybody knew who was coming because the Secret Service was there," said Cole. And, while they may compete on the newsstand, Obama managed to unite the editors from the various titles at least for a little while, as between takes she greeted all of those who lingered about to catch a peek of the wife of presumptive democratic nominee Barack Obama. The Obamas previously appeared on the cover of Ebony in February 2007, and that issue has been Ebony's highest seller on newsstands since.
— Andrew Roberts
WILL IT BE PINK?: The Financial Times launched a magazine in China aimed at the country's growing business elite. The monthly magazine, Rui (the Chinese word that means intelligence), will be the first Chinese-language magazine to be published by the FT, said a spokeswoman. According to reports, the title will have original content as well as stories translated from FT publications, including "How to Spend It" and "FT Wealth."
— Amy Wicks
ONE STUDIO, SEVERAL MAGAZINES, MUCH CONFUSION: Looks like Michelle Obama wasn't shot for Essence after all while she was in town two weeks ago for a fund-raiser with New York's fashion elite and her stint cohosting "The View." At the time, an Essence spokeswoman declined comment on whether the potential first lady was photographed for the magazine. But Harriette Cole, creative director for Ebony, confirmed Wednesday that Obama was shot at Industria Studios for an upcoming issue of her magazine — and she should know, since she presided over the shoot. So why did some assume Obama was being shot for Essence? Because Essence, Ebony and Vibe — as well as W — were all photographing various magazine spreads at Industria the same day, an occurrence Cole said had not happened in her 10 years at Ebony. Obama's arrival naturally caused a stir among the editors in the building. "Everybody knew who was coming because the Secret Service was there," said Cole. And, while they may compete on the newsstand, Obama managed to unite the editors from the various titles at least for a little while, as between takes she greeted all of those who lingered about to catch a peek of the wife of presumptive democratic nominee Barack Obama. The Obamas previously appeared on the cover of Ebony in February 2007, and that issue has been Ebony's highest seller on newsstands since.
