'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."

Sphere: Related Content

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Bruno' Invades Stella McCartney's Paris Show

Just days after ambushing the catwalk at designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada's show in Milan (below), Sacha Baron Cohen has infiltrated another show, sitting in the second row of Stella McCartney's show this morning in Paris, Vogue reports:

"With his red thong clearly visible above his jeans, the comedian - who was virtually unrecognisable in a flamboyant leather gilet, with his slicked-down hair dyed blonde and brown - sucked Tampax, clapped along to the music and generally disgruntled the front row by continually pushing aside those sitting in front of him for a better look at the models. While Baron Cohen did his best to steal the limelight, however, McCartney's girls (in delicious roomy knits with a touch of the Eighties about them) held their own - and won a lone standing ovation from their most eccentric, and possibly biggest, new fan."

Cohen's fake Austrian news reporter Bruno has already made news this year at a cage fighting event in Arkansas, in an interview with a former Israeli spy, in an attempt to talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger, go-go dancing at the Wichita airport, and duping Ben Affleck.

Watch cohen's arrest after the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, AFTER THE JUMP...

Just recently
Sacha Baron Cohen's Gay Bruno Strikes Again, on the Milan Catwalk! [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Sacha Baron Cohen's Gay Bruno Strikes Again, on the Milan Catwalk!

Sacha Baron Cohen, who is currently filming his film Bruno featuring his gay Austrian news reporter character, caused a ruckus on the runway in Milan during fashion week. He was then arrested.

The HuffPost reports: "Cohen interrupted the fashion show of designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada in Milan making it onto the catwalk dressed as his Austrian model Bruno. Dressed in a black cloak, and a bizarre bundle of clothing, Cohen strutted down the catwalk past the shows' models. But the police were called when he refused to leave to restore order. Scantily clad models screamed and security guards dived on him and several others with him and bundled them away. TV footage screened on Italian TV showed Cohen dressed as his creation Bruno, a flamboyant Austrian fashionista."

Cohen's fake news reporter has already made news this year at a cage fighting event in Arkansas, in an interview with a former Israeli spy, in an attempt to talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger, go-go dancing at the Wichita airport, and duping Ben Affleck.

Check out the video of the stunt and arrest, AFTER THE JUMP...

Sphere: Related Content

Tyson Beckford and Anthony Gallo Beef Up Dsquared2 Milan Show

Tyson Beckford and Anthony Gallo (who also appears in Rihanna's "Take a Bow" video) showed off some flesh on the runway in Milan for Dan and Dean Caten of Dsquared2.

In related news, that bear of a model from the Vivienne Westwood show I featured yesterday has been identified. He's "Sergio Lo Re, an actor and bodyguard. He's signed with New Faces Models/Actors in Milan."

One more shot of Tyson, and the designers and models "take a bow," AFTER THE JUMP...

More from Vogue...

Sphere: Related Content

Vivienne Westwood Launches New Trend in Male Models

The fashion world's focus is on Milan right now as menswear designers are showing their goods. New York magazine spotted this bear on the runway at the Vivienne Westwood show and applauds the disappearance of the skinny, hairless Emo boy. As I'm sure some of you will, too. (via fleshbot site NSFW)

One more look from Vivienne Westwood, AFTER THE JUMP. Of course, it only works if you're apt to carry a fan around...

(via design scene)

Sphere: Related Content

Brazilian Footballer Ronaldo: I'm Not Gay

Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, who plays for the Italian club AC Milan and has recently been caught up in controversy surrounding three transvestite prostitutes who allegedly tried to extort money from him, wants to make it clear that he's not gay.

Ronaldo told Brazilian TV: "My contract with Milan ends in June, after that, I am able to talk with whoever I want regarding my future. I already have a plan more or less laid out, and that is my dream to move to Flamengo, I know that the doors there will always be open for me. As for what happened, I did not have any sexual dealings with those people, I must stress that I am not gay. When I told my girlfriend, she started to shout, scream and swear at me, I think she’ll find it hard to forgive me."

Sphere: Related Content

Are You a Well-Turned-Out Male?

According to Agence France Presse, "Fur will be de rigueur for next winter's well-turned-out male, whether he is refined or goes for the bad-boy look, some of Italy's top designers decreed at Milan's catwalk presentations this week."

Is this Alexander McQueen "outsized chapka" the 'refined' look or the 'bad-boy' look?
Or simply the in-bad-taste look?

Sphere: Related Content

Clint Mauro Shows Off His Hard Hat in Milan

Model Clint Mauro (you may remember seeing him splayed on the side of a bus last summer in the Armani Exchange underwear campaign) hit the runway in Milan over the weekend in Frankie Morello's construction-themed Fall/Winter '08 show.

The show featured a studly, grown-up take on "Bob the Builder". The rest of the Bobs, AFTER THE JUMP...

You may have missed...
Behind the Billboards: Clint Mauro [tr]
Clint Mauro for Armani Exchange — A/X Underwear [tr]
Chad White and Clint Mauro: Window Dressing [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Chad White Decides His Hair Should Match His Name

A reader sends in this photo of model Chad White reportedly taken at fashion week, looking quite blond in Milan.

Previously
Michael Jackson Meets Chad White [tr]
Chad White: The Doll You Can Dress Up [tr]
Chad White Acts Out a Few Equine Fantasies [tr]
Chad White and Clint Mauro: Window Dressing [tr]
Chad White for Dolce & Gabbana Jewels [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

David Beckham Erection Marks Start of Fashion Week in Milan

The ubiquitous crotch has been placed on display at the intersection of Via Cusani and Via Broletto in Milan, where fashion week begins this week. No word on any increase in traffic accidents.

Beckham was given an award over the weekend from the English Football Writers Association for achievements in beefcake football. Said the Galaxy player: "It’s an incredible honor to receive this award. Football writers have followed my career from when I was a young player at Manchester United up to now. It’s great to receive this recognition from those who follow and love the game."

You may have missed...
Giorgio Armani and Posh Spice Boast About Beckham Bulge [tr]
New Beckham Emporio Armani Underwear Shot [tr]
Beckham Ad Inspires Rise in Briefs —Sales [tr]
Battle of the Beckham Bulge: Stuffed Armanis? [tr]
First Look: David Beckham for Emporio Armani Underwear [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Tenth Anniversary of Gianni Versace Murder Observed in Milan

Donatella Versace appeared pleased following the debut of a two-part ballet entitled Thank you, Gianni, with love, meant to mark the 10th anniversary of fashion designer Gianni Versace's murder, which was yesterday.

The ballet was written by French choreographer and friend of Versace Maurice Bejart, with whom the designer had collaborated during his lifetime.

Versace was slain by obsessed serial killer Andrew Cunanan on the steps of his Ocean Drive, Miami Beach mansion on July 15, 1997 as he arrived home from his morning walk.

The Miami Herald recalls the pandemonium and shock that ensued in the hours and days following:

"Miami Beach Detective Robert Hernandez, a public information officer at the time, was among the first to arrive at Versace's mansion. 'There was a patrol officer already there, but he had no idea who the victim was. When I saw him, I said: 'Do you know who that is? That's Versace! This is going to be big.' I called the lead PIO at the time, Al Boza, and told him: 'Get ready.' Indeed, reporters from newspapers, radio, television and the Internet quickly got wind of a sensational story. Within hours, the news got juicier. Versace's killer had been identified as Cunanan, a spree killer who only weeks before had been listed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List."

Cunanan committed suicide aboard a Miami houseboat eight days later after a massive manhunt uncovered his whereabouts.

Below, Bejart and Versace in May 1997, two months before his death.

A look at Versace's murder 10 years on [miami herald]

Sphere: Related Content

Chad White: The Doll You Can Dress Up

Haven't done a Chad White post in a while, so here's to filling that void. Like a Ken doll, Chad can be dressed up any way you want, and apparently the designers at Milan fashion week know that too.

From left to right, top to bottom - Sailor Chad from Jean-Paul Gaultier, Soldier Chad from John Galliano, 70's track star Chad and Auto Racer Chad from DSquared2.

And finally, Rock Star Chad from Gaultier and Hamptons Chad from Bottega Veneta.

A few of these designers have really been popping their Village People pills.

You may have missed...
Chad White Acts Out a Few Equine Fantasies [tr]
Fashion Notes: It's a Jungle Out There [tr]
New York Fashion Week Leftovers: Chad White [tr]
Chad White "Honored" to Have Gay Fans [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Sportrait: Yoann Gourcuff

Captain defender Alessandro Costacurta was the object of AC Milan's French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff's celebration on Saturday, following his goal at an Italian series A football match against Udinese at Udine's Friuli stadium. Yes, another purposely puerile posting.

You may have missed...
Sportrait: Isaiah Stanback [tr]
Sportrait: Gennaro Gattuso [tr]
Sportrait: David Wright [tr]
Sportrait: Grady Sizemore [tr]
Sportrait: Frank Lampard [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Massive Skeleton Laid Out in Milan's Palazzo Reale

It's by Gino De Dominicis. More here, here, and here.

Sphere: Related Content

Chad White "Honored" to Have Gay Fans

Model Chad White (a favorite here at Towleroad) appeared on the runway in Milan for gay twin designers Dsquared2 (Dan and Dean Caten) holding a black baseball bat. An interesting choice, considering White's love of the sport. In addition to saying he's "honored" by his gay fanbase, in a recent interview with OhLaLa Paris, White talks of his sports background:

"Baseball is a hard subject for me to discuss. I miss it, since I was young enough to remember I'd always been dreaming of being a baseball player. As I was going through high school I was a standout. Have you ever felt that you were meant to do something... Baseball was that feeling for me. Turns out different but I felt that there was no stopping me to become pro. I had some really influential ex pros behind me believing in me also. So my dream to play in Yankee Stadium seemed just fingertips away. Then one game I was pitching and I overthrew a pitch and tore something in my elbow. I balled [sic] my eyes out for days. My dream was gone."

At least he can live it out on the runway.

You may have missed...
Chad White and Ryan Daharsh Go Threadless [tr]
Chad White and Clint Mauro: Window Dressing [tr]
Chad White and Steven Klein do Swimwear [tr]
Midwestern Prime: Ryan Daharsh [tr]

Two more shots of Chad from the Dolce & Gabbana show after the jump...

Sphere: Related Content

A Night at La Scala

Rupert Everett escorted longtime friend Donatella Versace to La Scala opera house in Milan Thursday for its opening night, a production of Aida directed by Franco Zeffirelli. The production has created a frenzy with all 11 performances selling out within two hours. It's the director's first production there in 14 years.

Sphere: Related Content