The rumors that have been circling about a Valentino takeover have finally been proven true.  Permira, a UK based private equity firm as acquired an additional 24% share, bringing their total stake in the company to a controlling 53.6%.  The company has plans to acquire the remaining shares the Valentino Fashion Group, including Hugo Boss and M Missoni.

“Permira Funds become the single major shareholder of Valentino Fashion Group. We are interested in increasing the Funds’ stake, also through a public tender offer. In any case, the amount to be offered to the other shareholders of Valentino Fashion Group would not be higher than that one offered to ICG, € 35 per share ex dividend”.

The purchase of Valentino's shares isn't Permira's first foray into fashion. Permira has either partial or complete ownership of New Look (UK), Cortefiel (Spain), Takko ModeMarkt (Germany), Richard Schops (Austria) and Vogele Group (Switzerland).

--Source:  WWD Breaking News

Almost Pretty and I seem to have the same opinion on color palettes.  Great concept and convenient, yet they almost always leave me wanting.  Either the colors are not available for individual purchase, the entire palette is not utilized, or the powdered eyeshadow gets into the lip color (pet peeve).

Thank goodness cosmetic companies are beginning to use their noggins.  Mark, Avon's more hip younger sister, has developed the brilliant Pop In Color Palette.  Select from eyeshadows, lip gloss, and gel eyeliner all conveniently packaged in their own containers (with lids).  Pop in any combination of four pots for a customizable, mess free solution for touch ups, transitions and quick fixes.  Not to mention, the included dual ended brush is light years beyond those pesky sponge applicators.

A full palette, complete with your custom colors, available at MeetMark.com for $26.

As previously reported,  Lindsay Lohan is the latest face of Jill Stuart.  Whatever your personal feelings about the star, support and well wishes are needed as she goes through this difficult time.  However, one can't help but wonder Top Model style if Lindsay can give more than one face.  The image with the handbag looks like nothing more than a typical pop tart Rolling Stone cover, and her face in the other two look quite similar to her latest Radar Magazine photo shoot.  Let's hope for Jill Stuart's sake the ads are successful.
--Source:  Star Magazine

After the success of a limited edition collaboration with Puma, Lydia Hearst is set to design another collection of bags, this time for wider release.  While the 100 bags priced at $750 sold out before they hit stores, I'm sure I wouldn't be that far off the mark in assuming her friends made the majority of the purchases.

The bags, available just in time for the holiday season, will be reasonably priced starting at $80.   “When I sat down for the initial meeting with Puma, that was my first question, because they wanted me to do something that expressed my own personality, and I’m very versatile. I’m not the same person today that I will be tomorrow—I’m constantly changing. Even though it’s the same bag, they’re all completely different, with all different materials, all different accents, and details.”

--Source:  The Daily

Before Carine Roitfeld and Anna Wintour, there was Diana Vreeland. During her time, Vreeland was the foremost authority on women's fashion. After a years as editor in chief at Harpers Bazaar, Vreeland took the same position at Vogue in 1962. After unfortunately being fired in 1971, she became consultant to the Costume Institute. Diana also wrote several books, including D.V., Allure, and Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design.

This interview, dated 1977 gives us only a glimpse of the brilliance that was Diana Vreeland. Thank you to Fashion Videos for this discovery.

Elegance is innate. It has nothing to do with being well dressed. Elegance is refusal. -- DV

Images are emerging of Jessica Stam for Dior F/W 2007, courtesy of The Fashion Spot. The vivid colors and monochromatic scheme are fresh, and Dior made a wonderful choice going with Stam. What do you think?