Thierry Mugler today announces a new website, Womanity.com, which aims to connect women in an interactive platform.
   The idea behind Womanity.com is to spark creative exchange between women, says the company, ‘where members can share knowledge, trade experiences, express their creativity, and—above all—have fun.’ Members are invited to share video, photography, and writings with one another.
   The site will also include special guest contributors from the literary, artistic, journalistic, cinematic and fashion industries. It is online today, with full functionality expected by June.
   The site appears to have been developed with the cooperation of Microsoft, whose copyright notice features at the foot of the web page. At first glance, it has a fairly complex appearance.
   In 2007, Thierry Mugler introduced the Blogalaxy, where fans could set up their own blogs to share experiences about the brand. It also created the Island of Dr Muglerstein on Second Life. It has been using ecommerce since September 2007.

On February 11, Kate Moss and Longchamp showcased their new collaboration at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris. On the same day, the company had done the same at Selfridges in London, with both stores featuring a modern, zebra-themed area in which customers can check out the bags close-up.
   Paris shoppers can find Longchamp located at the Mogador entrance of Galeries Lafayette. Large promotional graphics from the campaign adorn not only the exterior on Boulevard Haussmann, but down from the famous domed roof inside the store.
   The launch of the Longchamp suite at Galeries Lafayette on the Grands Boulevards follows the January 27 announcement of the co-branded Kate Moss for Longchamp collaboration at the Ritz.
   Moss herself had modelled for the brand before. This was her first designer collaboration with the company.
   The video below features behind-the-scenes footage from the commercial.

MAC has unveiled its latest Viva Glam campaign, featuring Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. Proceeds from the sale of its Viva Glam VII lipsticks will benefit the MAC Aids Fund.
   The spring 2010 edition sees two new lipstick shades, with a light coral red lustre bearing Lauper’s name and a light blue–pink lustre with Lady Gaga’s.
   The collection hits counters on March 1, retailing at NZ$40.
   The MAC Aids Fund will announce $2·5 million in new donations to fund model programmes that address the vulnerabilities and inequities that place women at increased risk for HIV and Aids, says the company.
   To date, the MAC Aids Fund has already raised over $150 million to combat HIV and Aids.
   ‘I think it’s absolutely insane that some people have fewer rights than others, and I’m grateful that MAC has decided to focus on women while I’m a Viva Glam spokesperson. I have so much to say and so much to share, and I’m going to let my lips and lipstick do the talking!’ says Lauper in a release.
   ‘I’ve been familiar with the campaign and have been wearing MAC since I was 10 years old. To be joining the likes of iconic former Viva Glam spokespeople is an honour. My new Viva Glam lipstick colour is amazing. It’s very me—a bluish pink, great for every day, a little bit ’80s. I hope that women buy this lipstick, and honour themselves and honour the cause,’ says Lady Gaga.

Ryan McGinley

Levi’s and Opening Ceremony have announced a co-branded venture with a US-made range of cords. The spring 2010 collection, entitled Levi’s Cords by Opening Ceremony, takes the Levi’s 505 jean as a base and introduces a new palette of colours including teal, fuchsia, lavender, olive, curry, navy and optical white.
   In addition to the unisex corduroys, there are unisex cut-off shorts, unisex button-down shirts and men’s and women’s trucker jackets.
   Photographer Ryan McGinley shot the campaign.

Left Jean-Luc Colonna d’Istria of Merci. Right Medinge director and MIP dean Pierre d’Huy translates for Dominique Benoît of Pictet et Cie. Below The Brands with a Conscience certificate, designed by UffindellWest.

The Medinge Group had a slightly smaller Brands with a Conscience ceremony today at the Management Institute of Paris, reflecting the international nature of the winners. Many were scattered around the globe and unable to attend the ceremony, though two of the European winners made it to the French capital to collect their awards in person: Jean-Luc Colonna d’Istria of Merci and Pictet et Cie.’s Dominique Benoît.
   Stanley Moss, CEO of the Medinge Group, noted that it was remarkable that in a year of financial crises, there were two winners from that sector that were doing good. Apart from Pictet, the Co-op Bank received a Brands with a Conscience award.
   The seventh annual awards’ programme also honoured Alibaba Group, Marks & Spencer (for its Plan A initiative), SAP and Selco Solar Pvt. Ltd. Muna Abu Sulayman won the Colin Morley Award and a letter from her was read out in absentia by Medinge member Simon Nicholls.
   Medinge founder Thomas Gad noted that the Awards had become so successful that they had spawned at least one imitator.

Mini has tried to extend its range while it was under British ownership, but it seems, as with so many things automotive, the Germans have been more successful. BMW has announced that the regular Mini hatch, the Mini convertible and the Mini Clubman will be joined by the five-door Mini Countryman, a taller SUV-style model with more practicality.
   Although BMW has not said so, it’s likely to be joined by a lower, two-wheel-drive model in the near future.
   The new model lacks the cuteness of the originals, but it may be very successful for the lifestyle brand. While it might not get new SUV owners, it might get those who are downsizing and who still want something stylish.
   The Countryman name was originally used by the British Motor Corp. to denote estate car versions of its saloons.

Adidas kicked off its Star Wars collaboration in Wellington, New Zealand on Friday with a themed party, compèred by DJ Shan.
   A selection of the new designs were shown, with a promise of more to come in following weeks. Both limited-edition as well as mass-market items were shown, and classic Adidas Originals track tops and sneakers have been modified to feature scenes and characters from the movies.
   Local Star Wars buffs got in to the mood with the Empire outnumbering the Jedis—though I noticed they did not take kindly to my intentionally misplaced quips of ‘Live long and prosper,’ and, ‘Party on, Darth.’
   Passers-by loved the vibe and asked to have their photographs taken outside the Adidas store.
   Adidas had one of the best spreads on offer from any do I can remember in Wellington, thanks to catering by Oriental Bay restaurant, Beach Babylon.—Jack Yan

Mert & Marcus

Above Megan Fox is the latest celebrity to front a fashion label’s campaign.

In the main part of the Lucire site this week, Samantha Hannah makes her first 10 style picks for ’10, for the southern summer in New Zealand. Elyse Glickman, meanwhile, discovers there’s more to choosing jewellery for the bride, and investigates.
   Likely to be the biggest article of the trio is one tied to a celebrity, in this case, Megan Fox, from the Transformers series. While we’ve already featured Karen Elson for St John Knits this week, along with Georgia May Jagger for Versace, Armani has decided it would not be outdone and released many of its spring–summer 2010 advertising images featuring the heart-throb actress.
   We have to admit to being surprised by Fox’s choice; she is, nevertheless, someone with the high profile that Armani enjoys. The Tennessee-born actress’s appeal, we thought, was limited to teenage and 20-something young men, and our very quick, unscientific poll of a few indicates she’s not considered by women to be in the same league as some of the more familiar models—or, for that matter, another curvy, high-profile actress, Scarlett Johansson.
   However, if it’s headlines Armani wants, Megan Fox will deliver them.