IMAN LAUNCHES GLOBAL CHIC + MORE

Vogue uk reports:
Iman is adding a collection of jewellery and accessories - entitled Global Chic - to her burgeoning business portfolio. The line is inspired by journeys to countries as far-flung as Africa, India and Bali, as well as favourite pieces from her own personal collection - the jewellery offering, for example, includes a design based on her vintage engagement ring, from husband David Bowie. "Whether I am off to a business meeting, the PTA, a romantic night out with my husband, or at a red carpet, high-voltage event, I rely on stunning jewellery and accessories to give me fashion 'extras' to highlight my looks," Iman explains. "It is important to know fashionable accessory trends, but it is more important to know how to properly incorporate them into your world and your lifestyle. You are never fully dressed without them." Global Chic launches on US TV shopping channel HSN on December 15, and will also be available via its website

TOPSHOP SPONSORS NEW GENERATION

Christopher Kane, Duro Olowu, Erdem, Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab, Todd Lynn and new-comers Krystof Strozyna and MeadhamKirchhoff will all be names to watch out for on the London Fashion Week catwalk schedule in February - the eight fledgling design labels have all won the backing of the British Fashion Council's esteemed New Generation initiative, which will be sponsored by TopShop for the thirteenth consecutive season. In addition, Emilio de la Morena, Peter Pilotto, Borba Margo, David David, Felder Felder, Hannah Marshall, House of Holland, Poltock & Walsh, Anna Vince, Justin Smith, Nicholas Kirkwood and Charlotte Olympia will all receive financial assistance to show their autumn/winter 2008-9 collections at the London Fashion Week Exhibition as part of the scheme - which in the past has provided a platform for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald and Giles Deacon. "New Gen continues to support the rising stars of British fashion," commented Hilary Riva, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, announcing the list. "This season's recipients were carefully chosen from a long list of talented designers who applied for this prestigious sponsorship scheme by a panel comprising press, buyers, the British Fashion Council and Topshop. The high quality of applicants is a positive indication of the great talent that will emerge from the UK in the next few years." While Christopher Kane, Duro Olowu, Erdem, Louise Goldin, Marios Schwab and Todd Lynn are already making waves in the international fashion industry, the catwalk debuts of Krystof Strozyna – who showed a Fifties-inspired collection as part of his MA show at Central Saint Martins only ten months ago – and Fashion East alumnus MeadhamKirchhoff will doubtlessly be winning their share of the headlines come 2008.

ST. JUDES TOY DRIVE HOSTED BY DAVID BARTON/SUSAN BARTSCH

more than 20,000 presents were collected

DRESS FOR SUCCESS BREAKFAST

Dress for Success' breakfast benefit Wednesday at the New York Athletic Club adopted a love letter postscript theme, in honor of the new movie "P.S. I Love You." In attendance were Lisa Kudrow, who is appearing in the movie; Wendy Finerman, who produced it, and the book's author, Cecelia Ahern. "Someone was mean to me once, so I deserve to be here," the "Friends" star joked self-deprecatingly after she followed a Dress for Success success story. The audience of more than 350 included Bobbi Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Wal-Mart chief merchandising officer John Fleming and Wal-Mart Stores USA chief executive Eduardo Castro-Wright.