The Daily Front Row

Bottega Veneta nabbed Peter Lindbergh to shoot their Spring campaign that was shot at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. “There are few photographers who can convey the range of emotion and personality that Peter can,” according to Bottega’s creative director, Tomas Maier. “We are both interested in escaping the clichés and conventions of fashion imagery.

It’s not every day that the legend that is Charo is seen walking the red carpet with the likes of Naomi Watts, Bradley Cooper, and Helen Mirren, but that’s exactly what happened over the weekend in Palm Springs. Ms. Coochie-Coo herself joined the A-listers at the 24th Annual Palm Springs Film Festival on Saturday night and (obviously) stole the show. Could a Cinema Society screening sighting be next?

Milly’s new collab is b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Designer Michelle Smith is whipping up a summery, 60-ish item collection with Banana Republic’s creative director and executive VP of design Simon Kneen that will drop in BR stores this May. The choc de chocs? The new Hamptons-inspired line caters to women and men—a first for Smith. Expect one original print, plus six updated Milly classics.

Tom Ford To Host “Real” London Catwalk Show [Vogue UK]
The designer will host his first full-scale catwalk show during LFW next month

Women Dominate Bafta Rising Star 2013 Following Last Year’s All-Male Shortlist [Independent UK]
Elizabeth Olsen is among the honored female rising stars

The Future Looks Bright for Jigsaw [Telegraph UK]
The British fashion chain reports staggering sales increases

Jean Paul Gaultier has an allstar lineup for his Spring campaign. Case in point: retro Madonna, David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Boy George volunteering their time for their old pal. As any good fashion student remembers, this is actually a continuation of the quirky seventies and eighties themed collection that Gaultier presented in September in Paris.

Recently engaged Kelly Clarkson (congrats, girl!) appears in the February issue of Cosmopolitan and chats about those pesky lesbian rumors that have dogged her for years. “People think, ‘Oh, she’s been single for too long,” Clarkson explains. “That’s kind of an insult to the gay community. Being single doesn’t mean you’re gay. But I’m never insulted by it. I mean, I get hit on by the hottest girls ever. Oh my god, If I was a lesbian, I would be so in luck. But it’s just not my thing. I’ve always batted for the boys’ team.” That settles that.

Byron Regej, formerly senior art director at Los Angeles, has been named design director at Marie Claire…Erin Flaherty, formerly executive beauty editor at Marie Claire, has been named beauty and health director at the publication…Ying Chu, formerly beauty and health director at Marie Claire, has been named executive beauty director at Glamour.

WHAT: Jonathan Saunders Axel Polka-Dot Stretch-Cotton Twill Pencil Skirt…WHY: Saunders’ polka-dot pencil skirt could potentially get mistaken for a Seurat pointillism painting. While you wouldn’t wear Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte plastered across your midsection, Saunders’ play on dot art mixes prints with feminine silhouettes. You’re sure to be on point in this trim bit of twill, from an art gallery shindig to a dinner date situation. Viva la versatility!…AVAILABLE: $690, Net-A-Porter.com…

QVC has inked a deal with Jennifer Rade. The prolific red carpet stylist, who’s dressed the likes of Angelina Jolie, Amy Winehouse, Pink, and Cher, will design a capsule collection named Edge by Jen Rade that will debut during the network’s “Red Carpet Style” show on February 22. Joie! Expect three easy to wear pieces to drop live on Oscar weekend: a $75 maxidress, a lace tunic and camisole combo for $58, and a gold-studded topper for $40. Three additional items—a denim trouser, a lace-edged top, and a lace pencil skirt—will launch in March. This is the second partnership for the A-list magnet, who currently has another collaboration on rack. Rade teamed up with German powerhouse Rena Lange in 2011 to expand the brand’s eveningwear; the collection hit stores for Fall 2012.

Attention aspiring women’s RTW and/or fashion accessory designers!!! Bloomingdale’s is looking for you. The iconic store is picking up to five new designers to showcase in the SoHo store during fashion week. On Friday, January 11th from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., Bloomies is asking designers to show their collections at their fashion HQ at 155 East 60th Street. Bring well-crafted prototypes (no sketches!) that show ’em what you’re made of. Don’t forget to RSVP to BSEEN@Bloomingdales.com. Bonne Chance!