Here’s a behind-the-scenes video from Hennes & Mauritz on its latest shoot, for its collection titled The Garden Collection, in Palm Springs, Calif. Natasha Poly—or, Natalia Polevshchikova to give her full name—is the model.

Supermodel Hélèna Christensen proves that she still has recognition and appeal as she becomes the latest model for American intimate apparel company Bali.
   In the new online, print and TV campaign, Christensen introduces the Bali Comfort-U back design.
   The new advertising campaign has been created by Kraftswork NYC. The first TV commercial aired March 15 on ABC’s All My Children.

Model Hannelore Knuts, 32, has curated an exhibition, Fashion Testimony, to be shown at the Fashion Museum of Hasselt from March 27 to June 6, 2010.
   Knuts’s exhibition offers a glance at her 10-year career, which includes working the professional catwalk at Chanel, Gucci and other top European labels.
   Designers featured in the exhibition include Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermès, Christian Lacroix, Martin Margiela and Dries van Noten. Contributing photographers include Miles Aldridge, Steven Klein, Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Michael Thompson and Ellen von Unwerth.
   The aim of the exhibition is to lift the veil on the fashion world. It features some of her favourite images from her first fashion show to today. Some artists have provided works that Knuts felt connected with her.
   Those artists include Marc Claes, Patricia Ghijsens Ezcurdia, Ugo Rondinone, Filip Vandingenen and Anne-Mie van Kerckhoven.
   The Museum states that the exhibition is not a retrospective or a homage to Knuts, but a look in to her world.
   Knuts had been studying photography and, at age 21, turned to professional modelling.
   The Museum is located at Gasthuisstraat 11, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium (near de Groene Boulevard, next to the Holiday Inn and Molenpoortplein).

The venue is filled with only standing room. The lights are dim and a mystical tune fills the air. While the crowd glares at the stage, a slender silhouette appears in the background. As the light shines more brightly, the crowd is progressively enchanted by a sleek, dark-haired model with an unusual grin. Her movements are dramatic and flamboyant. Walking slowly toward the throng, she is vintage glam personified. Who is she? Her name is Monica Palatnikov.
   At first glance, Palatnikov is strikingly more reserved than most models with her résumé. She has loads of print ad, runway, film, and even theatre credits under her belt. This 23-year-old Russian beauty is more than just a pretty face. Born and currently living in San Francisco, she’s recently been showing up on advertisements and runways in the Bay Area.
   Wearing a simple graphic T and dark denim jeans, Palatnikov has the casual style that makes you think she’s too down-to-earth to be a model. But, as a new and fresh-faced local choice of many designers, she has a distinct and refreshing look about her. At a very young age, she knew modelling was her destiny when she played dress up, just as any little girl in her mother’s clothing. There was something about the way a garment made her feel when she slipped into it, allowing her to transform any mood into exuberant.
   Palatnikov shows a wide range of versatility in her modelling—from Lever 2000 soap and tequila commercials to Davidoff cigarette ads. So, she may very well be a household face already to some people.
   She’s received adoration for her almost theatrical expressions while on the runway, which has paid off from formal training at acting school. Although she enjoys having fun on stage and is passionate about modelling, Palatnikov’s equable temperament is fine-tuned by the people she surrounds herself with daily. ‘My family is very supportive as long as my career doesn’t consume me,’ she says.
   The clothing isn’t the only part that’s remembered in a fashion show, it’s also the model’s presence and energy exuded while on the runway. ‘I love how all eyes are on me while the audiences watch the clothing look even more stunning than just lying on a shelf in retail stores. It’s that personality of the model that really makes it,’ says Palatnikov.
   One thing is certain, this young lady has absolute staying power. Why do we love her? Maybe it’s because she mesmerizes you with her hazel eyes and innocent glow. It might also be the fact that she’s a professional ballroom-dancing, Japanese-speaking, health science major. Palatnikov is clearly well-rounded and has the essence of a seasoned supermodel. So, be sure to look out for her, whether it’s in a TV commercial, at the theatre or, better yet, on the runway.

Tony Barbera/Disney Enterprises, Inc. Used with permission.
Above Avril Lavigne in Abbey Dawn for Alice in Wonderland, on the set of her music video.

The Abbey Dawn by Avril Lavigne label will roll out a limited-edition range of apparel to tie in with Disney’s Alice in Wonderland film, directed by Tim Burton. Both the film and the range début on March 5, with the clothing exclusively in Kohl’s stores across the US and on kohls.com.
   Graphic Ts and denim form the core of the range, in line with Lavigne’s rock image. The White Rabbit’s watch and sayings such as ‘At least we love each other’ appear on Ts; the range also includes boyfriend jeans with suspenders and black jersey. Prices range from US$28 for the printed Ts to US$54 for denim.

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.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Claire R. Greenway/Getty Images

From what we could tell, only two celebrities’ names were bandied about after the Love Ball last night: Natalia Vodianova, for being the face of the De Beers Magic Moment necklace, and Elizabeth Hurley, for wearing a see-through sari—recalling that 1994 moment when she wore a revealing Versace dress held together with safety pins. There are more celebrity pics in the main part of the Lucire website.

We have more news from several worldwide events. New York Fashion Week news tends to go to print, which is why we are a bit sparing online, though some info will head here. Doug Rimington has shot some lovely photographs for us from London, while Rola Saab will shortly report from Paris and Thomaz from Milano. And we expect to get extra news from De Beers for the Love Ball London, which is being held today.
   By way of preview, the Love Ball is a charity event benefiting the Naked Heart Foundation. The event features an auction, where The Magic Moment Necklace, designed by model Natalia Vodianova and created by de Beers, will be offered alongside art from Marc Quinn, Anselm Reyle and others.
   The Magic Moment Necklace’s central pendant features a 1·1 ct fancy intense pink heart-shaped diamond paired with a 3·06 ct white heart-shaped diamond and hand-set in delicate micropavé. The pendant dances on a chain of white gold studded with white, pink and yellow diamonds (totalling 1·81 ct, 1·65 ct and 1·94 ct respectively); part of the chain is detachable for versatility. The Magic Moment Necklace can be worn either as an intricate statement or a sophisticated pendant, says De Beers.
   Says Vodianova in a release, ‘The Magic Moment Necklace was inspired by that precious instant when two people meet and immediately connect. Two stunning De Beers diamond hearts fit perfectly together becoming one—symbolic of a great love. I was reminded of the famous love poem by Pushkin and of the first playground we opened when I saw the children’s happiness and excitement. That was a magic moment I treasure and I instantly knew that the Naked Heart Foundation would be an integral part of me.’
   For further information about the Love Ball and the Naked Heart Foundation, visit www.nakedheart.org/loveball.

Martin Scorsese must be in the fashion Zeitgeist. After appearing in news about Giorgio Armani and its support for his film Shutter Island, we have received word that the Academy Award-winning director will direct the broadcast advertising campaign for Chanel’s new men’s fragrance. The campaign will star French actor Gaspard Ulliel.
   The campaign breaks worldwide in August 2010.
   Ulliel is probably best known to international audiences for his title role in Hannibal Rising. He has appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris (in January 2007) with Doutzen Kroes. He is also a face for Longchamp and has appeared with Kate Moss in that company’s campaigns.

Considering the media attention surrounding Brooklyn Decker and her 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover, Las Vegas’s move to arrange for 11 of its models to appear seems very prudent.
   The 11 women are there for a three-day programme, which includes photo ops, events and signing copies of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Below is a video featuring the models and mayor Oscar B. Goodman on Las Vegas Boulevard.

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.

Sports Illustrated has tried to tie in digital content more closely with its latest Swimsuit Issue than before, with a cooperation with Jagtag.
   By sending a photo of the image at left, users will be able to get swimsuit videos via MMS to their phones.
   Videos feature Brooklyn Decker from the cover shoot, Olympian Lindsay Vonn, Bar Rafaeli, Jessica White, the 2010 “rookies” and more.
   Jagtag claims that its technology will work with 90 per cent of cellphones in the US.

Brooklyn Decker, who appeared in a Lucire swimwear shoot by Jon Moe some years ago, has scored herself an even higher-profile accolade: the cover of the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
   The Ohio-born model appears on the cover in a shoot in the Maldives, photographed by Walter Iooss Jr.
   The issue also features models Bar Refaeli, Hilary Rhoda, Julie Henderson, Rookies Christine Teigen and Dominique Piek, US Olympians Lindsey Vonn, Hannah Teter and Lacy Schnoor, US Dancing with the Stars’ Cheryl Burke and Edyta Sliwinska, women’s tennis sensation Ana Ivanovic, and World Cup WAGs in body paint.
   As cover model, Decker joins a legacy of supermodels who have adorned the cover including Kathy Ireland, Cheryl Tiegs, Hiedi Klum, Elle Macpherson, Tyra Banks and Petra Nemcova. Many of these covers were shot by Iooss who, with the addition of this year, has eleven SI Swimsuit covers to his name.
   The online complement, SI.com/Swimsuit, features more than 1,400 photos and 100 videos of the models taken during shoots spanning six countries: Chile, Portugal, India, the Maldives, Canada and the US.
   Decker began appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2006 and has appeared in every year since.

We know it was a quiet news weekend for the fashion scene, but that’s no need for headlines hinting that supermodel Kate Moss’s earning power has dipped to a “mere” £1 million per annum, as some media are reporting.
   Both the Daily Mail and NineMSN report that Moss’s Skate LLP business earned £1,091,304 last year, based on Companies’ House filings. Compared with the former business, Skate Enterprises, this represents a drop of some £4 million on 2008.
   The Mail even has a ‘financial expert’ commenting to make the story look more legit.
   What is conveniently ignored is that Skate LLP forms only a portion of Moss’s income. It’s more than likely that her 2009 earnings will be close to the $8·5 million that Forbes estimated last May.
   We don’t doubt that Moss’s earning power is not as strong as it was five years ago, but her star has far from faded.
   Even accounting for budgetary cuts, Moss—with endorsement deals with Longchamp, Coty and Topshop—is unlikely to slip below her 2008 Forbes figure of $7·5 million. Each one of these deals is a multi-million-dollar one.

Tickets have just gone on sale for Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief fashion show, to take place during the fall 2010 collections at New York Fashion Week.
   Taking place on February 12 at 7 p.m., tickets cost between $100 and $150 and are available via Ticketmaster.com.
   The runway show will be hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and will feature internationally recognized designers, celebrities and VIPs. All the donated garments will be auctioned online at Net-a-Porter starting February 15. The donation is tax deductible and 100 per cent of the event ticket sales will benefit CARE.