Hey! How's your day going? Here at FF, we're just gearing up for another Friday at the office. You know, lunch with some Russian models, a funny prank call to Alex Wang (he falls for it every time!), maybe an impromptu runway walk-off challenge amongst the interns - just the usj...

But in America, something completely different is taking place. Something profound. Something that restores one's faith in all that that great nation is supposed to stand for. Kind of like Obama. But better. Of course, I'm referring to Black Friday.

Black Friday is a shopping day of biblical proportions. However, instead of Moses parting the Red Sea, it's like he's parted the aisles of America's stores with red flag savings.

Once a year, on the day after American Thanksgiving, shops and malls across that great land open up their doors early (and I mean like 4 am early!!!) to entice customers to buy some heavily discounted merch. Tens of thousands of customers, in turn, line up hours before dawn, as they jockey for position to get the best steals in the stores.

Photo courtesy Associated Press

Millions of dollars will be spent today. In fact, they call it Black Friday because it's traditionally the day of the year when retailers finally begin to show a profit on their books, going from being in the red, to in the black. But I think they should consider renaming it White Friday - like a bright white light that serves as a beacon for ravenous consumers around the globe that says, "THIS is how it's done, y'all."

You may have hated President Bush. You may think the war in Iraq was bunk. You may think that de-regulation has sunk the global economy. But there's still just no denying that, when it comes to shopping, Americans remain the freedom fighters of our time.

Posted by LUKE

About three minutes ago, I found out about this adidas commercial and was instantly obsessed (and only marginally because David Beckham is MAD SEXY!). Now, everyone at FF is plotting...
a) how we can get into this house party
b) who we could get to come if we threw one of our own.

Posted by SAM

Karl Lagerfeld has created yet another design that is sure to leave a big impression. It is for the 125th Anniversary of Coco Chanel's birth, which is being commemorated in Paris with a 5 Euro coin. The coin is available in both gold and silver and features Madame Chanel's profile on one side and a quilted surface on the other, which is reminiscent of guess which famous bag? It will be available for purchase beginning December 1st. The Fashion File team in Paris was invited to celebrate the event at the Monnaie de Paris (the French mint) where Christine Albanel, France's Minister of Culture, and Karl Lagerfeld were on hand to imprint the first coin with this commemorative design.

A Fabulous Chanel purse we couldn't help but notice

A close up of Karl Lagerfeld's trademark gloves

Lagerfeld with Christine Albernel (France's Minister of Culture) and Chrisophe Beaux (PDG of the Paris Mint)

Machine used to imprint coins

Albanel doing the first imprint of Chanel Euro

Lagerfeld imprinting the coin

POSTED BY ELIZABETH PANTALEO
PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH PANTALEO

Parisian designer Sonia Rykiel (who is rightly known as the queen of knits) has had an eventful year celebrating 40 years in fashion. It began with a fete during Paris Fashion Week, and continues now as her work is being honored by the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, an applied arts museum found in the wing of the Louvre in Paris. The exhibition, which is open to the public from November 20th through April 19th 2009, features her most memorable designs as well as her most famous advertising campaign shot by famed French photographer Dominique Issermann in 1980. Everything in the exhibit demonstrates the timeless Rykiel style from flouncy dresses to her famous striped knits. They all have a certain je sais quoi Parisian quality which epitomizes the mysterious allure of Parisian women.

Black and white photos from the 1980 advertising campaign shot by Dominique Issermann
POSTED BY ELIZABETH PANTALEO
PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH PANTALEO

It's rare these days that a television show not called 30 Rock, The Office or Gossip Girl can illicit strong emotional reactions from me, but apparently I'm growing soft in my old age. Thursday last, with an Entertainment Weekly in my lap and a falafel pita to my right, I happened to glance up at the TV at the exact moment Wilhelmina Slater busted out this delight:

I might have gasped. Or squeed. Or hyperventilated - in a good way. Suffice it to say, an unfamiliar sound escaped my throat and I giggled with glee. Had Christmas come early this year? Was everything coming up Milhouse? Could the Ugly Betty wardrobe supervisor read my mind? (If not, let me put this out there: presumably Betty has been working at Mode for about 18 months. I'm all for the suspension of disbelief, but there is no way some kind samaritan from the beauty department wouldn't have attacked those deranged caterpillar brows with Herculean tweezers and offered her a hairbrush. Also, is a musical makeover montage a la Devil Wears Prada too much to ask?)

Still confused and wondering why I was so tickled by such a conspicuous (not to mention impractical) hunting ensemble? Well, the only other person ballsy enough to wear red tartan plaid whilst attempting to remain invisible to potential predators is none other than Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan.

As such, I have no choice but to assume that Wilhelmina Slater has been watching copious amounts of Dynasty on DVD in an attempt to brush up on her blackmailing / conniving / kidnapping / catfighting / murdering / multiple marrying / champagne tossing / accent affecting skills. That, or a higher-up at ABC is overly invested in my continued viewership.

Whatever the reason, I raise my glass to you, costume department, and wish you much continued success.

PS Honourable mentions to Ms. Angela Bower for this enchanting Dickensian guise.

Images courtesy of abc.com

Posted by KATHERINE

Toronto dance-pop sensation Fritz Helder & the Phantoms are on their way to world domination. No stranger to the pop music scene, Fritz Helder was Nelly Furtado's cheoreographer for the last two years. Now, their world is all about fashion, glamour and party. Here is their latest video "Lagerfeld Lady", which was partly shot in the streets of Paris. As you will notice the super catchy tune could also make a perfect catwalk show soundtrack. Which label will use it first ? We say Karl Lagerfeld!

POSTED BY FLORENT GILLES

The secret is out! The Victoria's Secret Show taped this weekend in Miami. It won't air until December 3rd on CBS - but here is a STUNNING pre show teaser of model Maryna Linchuk.

Posted by JESSE

So I have to preface this post by saying that the only relation it has to fashion is that my friend called me in a state of WTF confusion after hearing the following remake whilst shopping at H&M. I am all about random remakes of songs that really didn't need a second attempt and as the Bond movie Quantum of Solace opened this week, I thought it appropriate to bring former Bond theme-song opener Dame Shirley Bassey to the fore.

This is the remake.

And this is the original, in case you missed it the first time around.

Do NOT get me wrong. I think the Dame Bassey version is AMAZING. It is the most over-the-top thing I have seen since Elaine Stritch won her Emmy in 2004 (sorry, I'm all about a good Elaine Stritch reference). Is she wearing opera gloves with matching bolero and are those people really dancing around in masquerade? Yes. It's basically a really good karaoke version of the Pink original, but sung really well by a Dame (I'm not being offensive by using the term dame here - Shirley Bassey is a real Dame - could you see Dame Judi Dench remaking a Pink song ?- now THAT would be a great way to open the next Bond film...)

Posted by JESSE

No big surprise there - but how early, you ask? Well, 10:00PM for a 10AM launch the following day sounds about right for us laid back North Americans (the Japanese certainly took this English proverb to heart - having waited three days to be the first to dash into the new H&M in the Harajuku district last Sunday).
Tiffany Lee and her friend were patiently waiting all night - watching the entrance emptied and painstakingly restocked with Comme des Garcons items. Without a rain slicker or a pair Hunters in sight, these girls took a page from Producer LUKE and toughed it out with two Burberry Walker Check Umbrellas and lots provisions to keep them warm.

Before you could say Kawakubo it all began!

This Fashion Filer is a veteran of the H&M designer collabos and found this one to have a more pleasant and patient crowd. Though, needless to say the mad dash and bartering were no different, but happily there were no brawls or injuries sustained.

And fine, a little bit of initial hoarding.

Lots of happy fashionistas (bows are big this season (literally!) AND for SS 2009 says granddad Karl)

And of course, the proud owners the The Dress (the prize fish, if you will). Why The Dress (and not the dress)? Only three were available in Ontario - not sure of the custody arrangement, or if it was a Sisterhood of the Travelling Dress scenario, either way it was well worth the wait Tiffany!

Posted by JACQUIE

Printemps, one of Paris' most trendy department stores, just unveiled their new Christmas windows. They started the holiday season off with a bang by inviting Paris' own Santa, Karl Lagerfeld, to turn the store front into a fashionista's winter wonderland. The whimsical display featured candy colored flowers and dancing space age dolls complete with silver Chanel-esque quilted ensembles. We hope Santa Karl leaves some Chanel under our Christmas trees this year!

POSTED BY LINSEY BALLAS AND ELIZABETH PANTALEO
PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH PANTALEO

Not sure if Nicolas Ghesquiere thought no one would notice men (who are we kidding, boys really) in his women's wear collection for Balenciaga Spring 2009. Maybe he thought he'd just sneak them in there? I have to say I almost didn't notice at first glance. If you squint as you go through the photos, the first guy out of the gate looks a little like a brunette Agyness Deyn ... only younger of course. These are not the manliest of men - which leaves me with the question - Who dates the Balenciaga boy? Let's weigh the options... (before we start I recommend clicking on the youtube link as a soundtrack to this visual experience).

Look 1

Okay, so Cole Mohr is pretty cute in a girly kind of way. His masculinity has come into question before, most notably when he wore a dress in the Marc by Marc Jacobs Campaign. Not sure if his case is helped much in stir-ups and exaggerated shoulders...

Look 2

Where to start??? Long hair, shiny skinny pants... this is the boy for you ONLY if you are tortured and enjoy uniquely rebellious things. Like poetry jams. Chances that he is a vegan are good

Look 3

Things are looking SLIGHTLY better for boy three, though those pants are still a little too shiny...

Look 4

Boy four is acceptable. You can see him arriving to pick you up for a date, meeting the rents and holding the door for you as you head to some 80's themed party (which he is perfectly dressed for). Not to get 'R' rated, but you can even see the goodnight kiss - with a warning to mind the razor sharp cheekbones...

Look 5

Speaking of the eighties... What's the name of that horrific group with the lead singer who looked like a fool? Right, Flock of Seagulls. This is the spawn of the lead singer, no doubt.

Look 6

This is male model Ash and he has been making major waves in the mens modeling market. He debuted Vogue Hommes Japan's premiere issue and here he is still managing to keep the 'hommes' in Vogue Hommes Japan.

Look 7

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.

Photos from Style.com

Posted by JESSE

Since the election last Tuesday much has been discussed about Michelle Obama's red and black Narciso Rodriquez dress. Whether you like it or not the first lady elect's dress sent a signal to the world like her husband's win that change is happening in America. Throughout her husband's campaign Mrs. Obama's choices have been a refreshing change to the ladies-who-lunch attire we have been accustom to for the past 8 years and counting. Mrs. Obama confidently wears her H&M dresses and J. Crew outfits as effortlessly as Cindy MacCain wears her $280,000 3-carat diamond stud earrings. What is also refreshing is her willingness to take risks with relatively unknown designers such as Tom Binns, Thakoon and Isabel Toledo. Most women in her position i.e. Laura Bush, Cindy MacCain, Condoleezza Rice rely on the tired and true designers such Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta for their key media spots. What makes this changing of the guard so exciting is that Michelle Obama won't usher in a new silhouette like Jackie O did but she will spotlight much needed attention on these unknown talents thus giving the White House and possibly America a much needed makeover.

Posted by NANCY

This winter season give your stems a modern update and slip into something that isn't Ugg-ly.

Ugg Australia has introduced a new Soho collection that offers a variety of boots that can be sported through the snowy streets and unlike their ubiquitous old selection can actually add some style to your ensemble. The good news is the city slick boots are still lined with Ugg's deliciously cozy sheepskin. Just when we were all beyond ready to leave Ugg's to the tween set they've forced us to reconsider.

Posted by JOANNA

So if the boys of Gossip Girl can bag a Details Cover, then why the eff can't the girls from the show get in on the action? Yup, I'm talking about Blake Lively aka Serena of Gossip Girl fame, and her December W Magazine cover.

Looking appropriately patriotic, Lively took to the cover to promote what promises to be the most successful film career of the entire Gossip Girl bunch. I'm not dogging the rest of the cast, but hey, did YOU see Chace Crawford in The Haunting of Molly Hartley...? Blake is making GOOD movies. (with the exception of the unfortunate Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2, the unhygienic, unneccessary sequel which I MIGHT have seen in theatres and am owed $12 for). Look for redemption and evidence of her rising star in soon-to-be-released indie films with co-stars such as Robin Wright Penn, Julianne Moore and Max Minghella. But it's her role in Elvis and Anabelle (she just plays a bulimic Texan beauty queen - no biggie) that I am most interested to see.

A little different than the Tory Burch flats and Valentino bags we're used to seeing her sport on GG, no?

POSTED BY JESSE

So the guys of Gossip Girl are on the cover of the November Details Magazine.

Post reading the accompanying article (yes, okay I bought the mag, am in my late twenties and enjoy Gossip Girl - no judgment) I was compelled to check out the behind-the-scenes video from the cover shoot on the Details website...

Observations. Ed Westwick is cool (his 'Heartbreak Hotel' and '21 Grams' tattoos notwithstanding). His Brit accent is slightly off-putting if you watch the show (apparently he based his American twang on Carlton from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). Also interesting to note that Ed's personal style is nearly as epic as his character Chuck Bass' - arguably one of television's most fashionable characters. Am tempted to end this post with 'being bad never looked so good...' but will resist. Instead - XOXO.

Posted by JESSE

Check out the cover of Dazed December. It's the 'New Generation' issue, meaning new artists, new designers, new photographers... The cover is all about the new and next generation as well, with rising star model Kate Somers, photography by Daniel Sannwald and Creative Direction from Nicola Formichetti.

Photo Courtesy Nicola Formichetti Blog

Posted by JESSE

Has anyone else checked out Chanel Iman's new YouTube channel? She says she started Chanel Iman TV as a way for her viewers to get to know more about her, but it actually might be having a different effect. As of this blog post, she has 5 videos up including this one, which is causing a lot of (trash)talk on the interweb:

These are the types of comments this video has produced and really made me LOL:

"Oh now I hate her. What an idiot.
You know, sometimes models shouldn't talk. She looks like such a ghetto girl."

"The next Kimora!"

"i completely agree, i want to like her but she is so heinous sometimes"

"MA DEYOUR BAG
MA GOOCHEE SHOES
MA YSL... UH... GLASSAS"

POSTED BY HAZEL

As a country historically renowned for their beading, embroidery and rich fabrics, it's no wonder why India Fashion Week is beginning to garner attention from the biggest international fashion media outlets including Style.com. Traditional as well as contemporary looks came down the runways, both encompassing the abovementioned Indian elements. I've checked out some of the looks and here are a few highlights:

Photos from: style.com

Photo from: http://www.lakmefashionweek.co.in/

Posted by HAZEL

Diddy's newest offering does it in style.

Posted by JESSE

We're late getting on this bandwagon, but for those of you who still log on to Myspace here and there in between hour-long Facebook sessions, you can now connect with Fashion File on the web's original networking platform. Associate Producer Jesse suggests that some of the older fashion set/Americans still do their social networking on Myspace, so I think it's safe to say that as an internationally syndicated show, this is very long overdue. Shame on Fashion File's (non-existent) marketing team! Nevertheless, our account is now live and as of this post we are currently sitting at 9 friends, so add us!

www.myspace.com/fashionfilecbc

Posted by HAZEL

To use an expression of the day, it seems like Karl Lagerfeld is "going rogue". Gone is his glitzy life mingling with Parisian high society. And in it's place? Birkenstocks, maple syrup, and guys named Loomis:

Note to Vermont residents: FF will pay top dollar if anyone actually obtains photos of Heir Lagerfeld " duck huntin' and fishin' ". TOP DOLLAR!!!

POSTED BY LUKE
REPORTED BY PARIS BUREAU