Kate Lanphear | Source: Purse Blog

NEW YORK, United States — It’s hard to miss Kate Lanphear. With her razor-sharp platinum locks and androgynous, punked out look, inspired by Catholic iconography, skateboarding and Norwegian metal bands, the American Elle style director is a fashion world fixture.

Not only is she perched in a top spot at one of America’s largest fashion publications, but she has also become a favourite of the roving corps of street-style photographers who document her every outfit, making Lanphear one of a handful of fashion industry insiders who have the kind of rabid online following typically reserved for Hollywood starlets.

In print, her name is rarely far from the word “cult.” But her entry to the industry and subsequent rise to fashion fame was anything but easy, the notoriously press-shy Lanphear told BoF.

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Joe Zee | Source: Sartorially Correct

Fashion’s Approachable Ambassador (NY Times)
“As fashion has evolved from an insular club to mass-market obsession — helped in part by proliferating Web sites, blogs and TV shows like ‘Project Runway’ — Mr. Zee, 42, has come to epitomize a new form of top-of-the-masthead personality. He is not the aloof style arbiter, gazing out silently behind Frisbee-size sunglasses, but a chatty and approachable ambassador of fashion.”

Tastes of the newly wealthy (FT)
“Both McKinsey and CLSA point to the fact that China’s rich really are different from their western counterparts and the luxury brands themselves are having to adjust their approach. Chinese millionaires, for example, are 15 years younger than their overseas peers and they spend more per transaction.”

Chinese Creativity: Who Are The Emerging Designers? (Jing Daily)
“With Shanghai Fashion Week about to kick off, and Beijing Fashion Week just around the corner, Jing Daily is looking forward to the newest collections by some of the top emerging designers in China. Some we’re watching closely.”

CFDA Fashion Award Nominees Set (WWD)
“This will mark the 10th year that Swarovski is underwriting the awards gala, which will take place on Monday, June 6… As in previous years, the night will also be an occasion for the CFDA to hand out several special awards. Marc Jacobs will receive this year’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Westwood’s Lasting Imagery (NY Times)
“Ms. Westwood’s 1980s fashions now are the focus of an exhibition at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The show… is highlighted by pioneering looks such as a unisex ensemble in billowing striped cotton from the 1981 Pirates collection, which may well have an effect on designers now experimenting with genderless styles.”

Courtney Love cover, courtesy of Elle

Hachette to Break Through ‘Silos’ As It Restructures Women’s Magazines (WSJ)
“This week, the New York publisher will take what it says is a big step toward fortifying itself, reorganizing its women’s magazines, which make up the bulk of its business.”

J. Crew Group cuts jobs, suspends 401(k) plan (Forbes)
J. Crew will cut 95 jobs and 401k plans to help save on costs.

Niche Web Sites Buck Media Struggles (WSJ)
While old media struggles, online publishers are seeing revenues rise.

Luxe Houses Cut Costs (WWD)
“As the global recession bites into luxury sales, store openings and events are being canceled or postponed, sample collections downsized, advertising budgets slashed, and workforces trimmed.” (Subscription required)