Chic Report

Dame Helen Mirren continues to prove that you can be sexy at any age (She must read Bazaar!) in a red Escada gown over the weekend. The Queen was at the Palm Springs International Film Festival where she picked up the “International Film Star” award and showed her appreciation for the honor by thanking the crowd in different languages. Ain’t nothing like a Dame.

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.

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.

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!

It’s hard to argue with Victoria’s Secret’s decision to put Candice Swanepoel on the cover of its catalog for the third time. Russell James shot the South African mod and the rest of the Angels on the beaches and in the pools of Miami and Turks and Caicos for your hubby’s favorite piece of mail out this week. In a continued effort to make you feel meh about your body, they’ve also created a music video of Swanepoel and the equally perfecto Doutzen Kroes looking flawless in bikinis. Sorry about that.

We’ve been waiting for this cover! Zooey Deschanel finally graces the cover of Glamour’s February issue that hits newsstands on January 8th. Take a look at their first hair-themed issue, featuring Deschanel on the front and the back cover, and over 100 ideas for your ‘do. The New Girl star also takes on her critics (with a dirty mouth!) with no regrets: “I’m just being myself. There is not an ounce of me that believes any of that crap that they say. We can’t be feminine and be feminists and be successful? I want to be a f–king feminist and wear a f–king Peter Pan collar. So f–king what?”

Ready for some TGIF-apropos nail news? Not one to follow trivial trends, essie is finally getting into the nail wrap game. It’s about time! The talon experts have rolled out Sleek Stick Stickers available in 12 designs ranging from “Don’t Cheetah On Me” (animal print, obvi) to a blinged-out pattern entitled “Glam It On”.