'Pinocchio' Armani Protested by PETA Activists in Milan

Senior VP of PETA Dan Matthews and other PETA activists targeted Giorgio Armani in front of his Milan Emporio Armani boutique on Tuesday by holding up posters of Armani as Pinocchio, claiming that the designer had broken a promise not to use fur in his collections.

The Giorgio Armani group responded with a statement, ANSA reports: "The fashion group clarified that it had 'decided to stop making products with animal fur, except for rabbit fur which derives from animals already destined as a food source'. Armani group also criticised Peta activists for exploiting the fame of the company name in a bid to attract public attention. 'The use of fur in the house's collection has always been extremely limited, in contrast to what happens at other fashion houses that make fur their core business,' the group said."

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British Swimmer Mark Foster Does David Beckham

Dance show competitor and 38-year-old British Olympic swimmer Mark Foster attempts his best David Beckham impression in the latest issue of UK tabloid Now.

Check it out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Imho it's unwise to mess with a classic, unless you're gonna really mess with it.

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Giorgio Armani Under Fire for Bedazzling Bullfighter

Giorgio Armani is taking heat from Italian animal rights activists for designing a sparkly costume for Spanish bullfighter Cayetano Rivera for his competition in the "Corrida Goyesca" bullfight, named for Spanish painter Francisco de Goya.

Reuters reports: "Cayetano's satin 'suit of lights', the bullfighter's traditional costume, will be in Armani's hallmark shade of greyish beige embroidered with sequins, crystals and silver thread, Cayetano and Armani said in separate statements."

According to ANSA, "The 100% Animalisti group attached three large posters to the walls of the Emporio Armani megastore in Milan during the night informing customers of Armani's decision to dress Cayetano Rivera Ordonez for the historic Goyesca de Ronda bullfight in southern Spain on September 6. The posters were quickly removed by Armani staff. 'Giorgio Armani's decision is particularly despicable in the light of the fact that he is currently appearing in a publicity campaign against animal abandonment in which he declares his love of animals,' 100% Animalisti said on Thursday."

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News: Robert Novak, New Yorker, Katy Perry, Montreal, Gavin Newsom

Yuengling Beer distributor's driver fired following anti-gay assault on Brad Walsh, photographer boyfriend of fashion designer Christian Siriano.

Vanity Fair takes jab at New Yorker cover.

OK: Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears to reunite.

Eurogames get underway on Thursday in Barcelona: "More than 30,000 tourists are expected to attend the Olympics-style games which could pump 30 million euros (47.6 million US dollars) into the local economy, according to Barcelona gay sports group Panteras Grogues (Yellow Panthers) which is organising the event."

Send Newsom in: SF Mayor obtains city computer codes from imprisoned city computer tech Terry Childs after week-long stand-off: "The first thing I want you to know, Mr. Mayor, is that when you walk out of this room, you will have the computer codes."

Hispanics make up 22% of new HIV cases: " So far, the toll of AIDS in the nation's largest and fastest growing minority population has mostly been overshadowed by the epidemic among blacks and gay white men. Yet in major U.S. cities, as many as one in four gay Hispanic men has HIV, a rate on par with sub-Saharan Africa."

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano discusses his new fashion line...

Male model Bruce Hulse recalls his first gay-themed shoot with Herb Ritts: "His request was one I might not normally have accepted, but I knew that Herb would take exquisite and tasteful photographs that would be seen by the world as art. I also didn't want to pigeon-hole myself as being homophobic. I wanted to be receptive to any and all ideas, as long as they involved the right team and the best photographers."

The New Old Gays: Apparently, swish is back.

Rihanna takes a ride into "Disturbia" with David LaChapelle.

Syndicated columnist Robert Novak cited after hitting a pedestrian with his black Corvette in DC. Claims he didn't know he hit anybody but witness says victim was splayed across the front of his car.

35-year-old Swedish serial killer of gay men sentenced to life in prison.

Robert Mapplethorpe remembered by some of his subjects.

Giorgio Armani is a Speedo guy.

Katy Perry and the media's "kiss" of hypocrisy: "Not only is the media sending a mixed message in heralding Perry, they’re undermining any stand they might want to take in support of gays in the future. How can anyone heed their warnings not to disrespect gays when they roll out the red carpet for an artist who has done exactly that? The real point seems to be they’ll do anything for an audience."

Car-free zone in Montreal's gay village a huge success: "Even the naysayers, those who were opposed to closing the street, have changed their tune as the terrasses stay packed from Wednesday to Saturday night and merchants are dancing to the tune of ringing cash registers."

The International Herald Tribune goes on a shopping trip in Provincetown but mostly at the Marc Jacobs boutique.

Hartford Courant: 2010 Census must count gay marriages. "Bureau officials should acknowledge the reality that same-sex couples are legally married in the United States — and fix their procedures for counting and describing America's estimated 780,000 same-sex couples and their families. They should certainly stop altering the accurate responses of same-sex couples who describe themselves as married. Decisions about data collection should not be driven by political and value-laden judgments about marriage. They should be grounded in the demographic and legal realities of this nation."

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Male Bonding: Mert & Marcus for Armani Jeans

Photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot (fresh off the most well-known fashion image of the year) shot the gorgeous new Fall/Winter Armani Jeans campaign and it's got more than a little gay vibe going on. Models Jamie Dornan (Select, London) and Brazilian beauty Marlon (MGM, Paris) are joined by a third I haven't IDed yet.

Needless to say, everyone's giving pretty good face.

Two more shots AFTER THE JUMP...

Previously
First Look: David Beckham for Emporio Armani Underwear [tr]
Marc Jacobs Extends His Naked Moment [tr]
Madonna vs. Courtney Love: Faces of Eroticism [tr]

(source)

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Feed the Beast

Two more shots from Beckham's Armani underwear campaign have been quietly released into the wild, quietly meaning there was no ticker tape parade or seven-story ceremonial undraping before thousands of worshiping crotchwatchers.

One more, AFTER THE JUMP...

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Template for a Scent

Josh Hartnett's commercial for Diamonds by Emporio Armani fragrance debuted at the Milan's men's shows this week. It features a shirtless Hartnett slipping on a crisp white shirt and a swank outfit before being assaulted by the flashes of the paparazzi.

Which means it's pretty much the same commercial Matthew McConaughey did for Dolce & Gabbana's 'The One' fragrance back in February, in reverse.

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Josh Hartnett Smells Like Bling

Unlike some actors, Josh Hartnett appears thrilled by the attention he's getting from paparazzi in his first ad for Emporio Armani's Diamonds fragrance. Hartnett was announced as the smell's spokesmodel in May.

Previously
Diamonds and Armani are Josh Hartnett's Best Friend [tr]
Tom of Finland Lays Pipe for Fragrance Ad Campaign [tr]
Jamesw Franco the Face of Gucci by Gucci [tr]

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David Beckham's Bulge Brings a Spectacle to San Francisco

David Beckham made his appearance at Macy's San Francisco last night and revealed a second image from a new set of five images from his Emporio Armani underwear campaign (the first I posted yesterday).

Needless to say, there was a crowd awaiting his arrival.

Watch the unveiling as it happens (complete with lustful shrieking), AFTER THE JUMP...

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Becks on the Beach for Armani

This is apparently one of the new David Beckham images that he'll be unveiling today at a ceremony for Emporio Armani at San Francisco's Macy's this evening. Enjoy.

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Giorgio Armani Announces Unboxing of Five New Beckham Bulges

Giorgio Armani announced that a special ceremony will be held tomorrow night in San Francisco as David Beckham unveils a second set of images from their highly successful underwear collaboration:

"Giorgio Armani is pleased to announce that his friend and testimonial David Beckham will unveil a giant mural featuring an image from the new Emporio Armani Underwear advertising campaign for Autumn/Winter 2008-09 on June 18th, 2008, 5pm PST at Macy’s in San Francisco. The mural overlooks an outdoor amphitheatre adjacent to Macy’s with seating for 6,000 spectators, where David Beckham will also personally meet two hundred Emporio Armani Underwear customers. The new advertising campaign was shot on Malibu beach in California, once again by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, and will appear in sport, fashion and lifestyle magazines and on signature billboards in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Rome, Paris and Tokyo."

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News: American Gladiator, Bush and America, Giorgio Armani

Sir Ian McKellen named a Companion of Honour, a Commonwealth Order given to Britains who have made outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry, or religion. Said the outspoken actor: "Coming out, coming out, coming out. That's the only thing I've ever done, really. That's what it can say on the gravestone. That will be the obituary."

Woof: Ptown Doberman pinscher earns spot in Westminster Kennel Club show in February.

Neptune, New Jersey to swear in gay mayor: "Bishop, who will be sworn in at noon Tuesday for his second three-year term on the committee, is also expected later in the afternoon to be picked as mayor for 2008. When that happens, Bishop will be one of two openly gay mayors serving this year in New Jersey, and one of only three in the state's history. But Bishop, who owns the Melrose Inn in Ocean Grove, doesn't want his sexuality to be the focus of his tenure as mayor. 'It really is a small piece of what makes me who I am. It's as much a piece of me as owning my own business, or having spent years in corporate America. Is it true that probably my experience influences how I approach problem solving? Yes, but they all play into that, and they all make me into who I am.'"

The year in Pink: 2007's celebrity gossip in a flash.

Producers "in discussions" with network about American Gladiator Alex Castro's porn past.

Giorgio Armani struts his white-Speedoed stuff in the Caribbean.

Blistering NYT editorial on Bush and the state of America: "Out of panic and ideology [after 9/11], President Bush squandered America’s position of moral and political leadership, swept aside international institutions and treaties, sullied America’s global image, and trampled on the constitutional pillars that have supported our democracy through the most terrifying and challenging times. These policies have fed the world’s anger and alienation and have not made any of us safer... The White House used the fear of terrorism and the sense of national unity to ram laws through Congress that gave law-enforcement agencies far more power than they truly needed to respond to the threat — and at the same time fulfilled the imperial fantasies of Vice President Dick Cheney and others determined to use the tragedy of 9/11 to arrogate as much power as they could."

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Giorgio Armani and Posh Spice Boast About Beckham Bulge

Giorgio Armani and Victoria Beckham both discussed the new Emporio Armani campaign over the weekend.

Said Armani: "I design with the body of a classical athlete in my head. David recalls the classical ideal – he brings to mind the beautiful Michelangelo statue in Florence. David is one of the very few iconic sports people who is as well known for his style off the field as he is for his talent on the field. For me, David represents a notion of modern masculinity: strong, fit, healthy, but also sensitive and considerate."

Beckham's wife bragged about her husband's form as well, but did away with the art history nonsense and just cut straight to the chase:

"I’m proud I still have a really good sex life with David. He is very much in proportion. He does have a huge one, though. He does. You can see it in the advert. It is all his. It is like a tractor exhaust pipe!"

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David Beckham Signs Deal to be Emporio Armani Underwear Model

Giorgio Armani has tapped David Beckham's ass to launch his Emporio Armani underwear brand in the states, according to Women's Wear Daily:

"Beckham was shooting the ad campaign in Los Angeles late last week with Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The ads will break in fashion magazines worldwide beginning with the January issues...The ad campaign isn't the first time Armani and Beckham have worked together. While the soccer legend has worn Armani personally for years, he met and became friendly with the designer after Armani did the English team's wardrobe in 2002. Armani traveled to Manchester, England, where Beckham played at the time, and worked on the wardrobe with him."

The campaign promises to be (to steal a line from Ugly Betty) Beck-mmmmmm.

fyi - the above is not from the campaign but from the recent W magazine shoot.

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Madonna vs. Courtney Love: Faces of Eroticism [tr]

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News: Drag Ballerinas, Kate Moss, Homoerotic Jackasses

Gay fraternity at University of Arizona receives national charter: "Delta Lambda Phi, which completed rush this month, is not exclusively for gays. Membership is also open to men who are bisexual. 'We were one of the fastest charters in history because we were dedicated to this,' said Christopher Newman, 23, a senior education major and founding member. UA is now one of a few schools in the nation with Greek letter organizations geared toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students."

AfterElton's review of the homoerotic Jackass: Number Two notes that though gay jokes are in, gay slurs are definitely out: "In it, viewers will see the Jackass cast--often naked or almost naked--getting into every possible position with one another and delighting in all sorts of bodily fluids. But not once will viewers hear the cast utter the word 'fag.' It's no secret that the word is regularly thrown around by homophobic men when justifying and denying their own clearly homoerotic behavior with one another. So one would almost expect to hear “fag” or other such slurs bandied about when, in the film, the rest of the guys watch Steve-O consume a beer via a beer bong—and not with his mouth."

Macy's back to its homophobic tricks? After asking San Francisco's Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) to design and operate three HIV prevention games for youth at the Passport Teen Night, Macy's officials rejected the games developed by LYRIC because they had too much gay content.

Initial phase of nine-month Vatican gay witch hunt is finished.

Michael Jackson planning Leprechaun theme park in Ireland?

Madonna's dancer, Daniel "Cloud" Campos, sends a video birthday card to his employer.

The Trocks, a group of drag ballerinas, making ripples around the world: "They are expert at lampooning the flashy self-marketing techniques of ballerinas - the shameless way they will upstage their put-upon Princes, the fake "What, all this for me?" coyness with which they will milk an audience's applause. And the Trocks make wicked comedy out of the competitive manoeuvres of the corps, spiking each other's steps, messing with their costumes and angling to make eye contact with the audience."

Newark, Ohio is adopting a new approach to sex in its public parks: film it.

Giorgio Armani pulling out all the stops in London: hosts "biggest ever" bash; paints Kate Moss in blackface for guest gig as paper designer.

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