News Roundup: Lana Del Rey for H&M?, Madonna’s Style Dissed by Piers Morgan and More
– Lana Del Rey is rumored to be the new muse for Swedish budget retailer H&M. The New York Post reports that the fashionable songstress recently shot a campaign for the chain, though neither reps for Del Rey nor H&M will confirm. Next Models did sign the singer to a modeling contract in their “special bookings” division, a sector that focuses on partnering media talent with fashion brands. If the H&M rumor proves to be true, this would be her first official spokesmodel gig. The genre-bending singer has already has proven to be an effective muse for Mulberry, whose “Del Rey” handbags have proven very popular.
– Lil’ Wayne is making it clear his focus is on fashion, not feuds. Having launched his fledgling skateboard-themed Trukfit line earlier this year, he explained its roots and role to the Associated Press. Though he credits Kanye West or Andre 3000 as being the “most stylish” rapper out there, he said his own swagger has evolved to the point where it merits a line modeled after it: “I was one of the guys that would ‘geek chic’ it every now and then. Now I’m just more into whatever works for me.” He credits “friends and peers” as encouraging him to start his own line. “Dude, you dress your own way and people follow that,” he remarked. And now they can buy it, too.
– Piers Morgan has yet again criticized Madonna’s style, reheating a 20-year-old battle between the pop icon and incendiary British talk show host. “She is banned from the show. Twenty years of crimes against music, fashion and at the moment the terrible thing she started doing at age 53 of taking off her clothes every night,” Morgan said on The Wendy Williams Show this week. “I can’t risk her on my show. It would give the old men a heart attack.” So far, no response from the Queen of Pop, who is busy with a sold-out world tour.
– Speaking of alleged fashion crimes, both Katy Perry and Rihanna caught some heat this week for controversial outfit decisions. The ever-zany Perry donned a lavish butterfly costume at Canada’s Much Music Awards. The problem was it didn’t fit quite right: she had to hold the wings against her backside in an effort to prevent flashing the crowd. Not the ideal way to be hailed “Best International Artist.” Meanwhile, Rihanna wore a tee that read “C*nt Life,” sparking mock outrage from the usual sources.
– Sky Ferreira, whom Rolling Stone profiled last summer, is finally set to release her debut album It’s Not Alright later this year. In anticipation, she’s unleashed a slew of new, provocatively stylish collaborations. First up, there’s the terrific Shirley Manson co-penned grunge-pop cut “Red Lips,” with its sneering brashness underscored by the heroin chic-meets-haute horror video shot by the titillating shutterbug Terry Richardson. Then there’s the singer’s newest fashion campaign: a set of dramatic ads shot by Mario Sorrenti for denim brand Vigoss USA.