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SPEED DEMONS: At Saturday's premiere of the cartoon-turned-live action film "Speed Racer" at downtown Los Angeles' Nokia Center, which was tricked out to resemble a speedway complete with cars, stars Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci compared notes about their respective action scenes. "I did some stunts," Hirsch said, "but most of them were my stunt guy, the five-time kung fu champion of the world!"
Ricci (in Bill Blass) countered: "I did lots of my own stunts — including all the kung fu fighting." Both petite stars wore Puma Motorsport suits throughout the film, for which the company was an official partner, even designing a Speed Racer sneaker that stars signed on Saturday, with auction proceeds going to charity. The after party offered guests such as BFFs Kate Beckinsale and Victoria Beckham a chance to race in go-karts and snack from pretzel stands and cotton candy booths.
SPRING FLOWERS: Contemporary designer Rebecca Taylor has partnered with Manhattan flower shop Belle Fleur to create a custom Mother's Day arrangement. Taylor said she decided to partner with the florist after being inspired by her own 14-month-old twin girls, Zoe and Isabel. "Being a newish mom, I had fun thinking about what flowers I would love to receive," she said. "The variety of flowers in season this time of year are incredible — it made my job very easy. I wanted to make the bouquet really fresh and springlike, not too contrived. I am sending one to my mom this year."
The bouquet, which costs $150 (plus a $20 delivery fee in Manhattan), includes an arrangement of lisianthus, sweet peas, white lilacs, parrot tulips and peonies.
BRIONI'S FAREWELL BID: Brioni is closing its women's store at 67 East 57th Street in Manhattan, WWD has learned. The Italian luxury house instead plans to sell its women's line from the adjacent men's store at 57 East 57th Street. Brioni had opened the 1,500-square-foot stand-alone boutique at the base of the Four Seasons hotel in 2002, signaling a major push into the women's sector, which also included hiring Cristina Ortiz as creative director of Brioni women's wear in 2005. Ortiz left for Ferragamo last year and hasn't been replaced, leading some to speculate that Brioni was winding down its women's business. Antonella De Simone, who oversees marketing and communications at Brioni, said the company remains committed to its nascent women's business, which generates about 10 percent of turnover. "We have no intention of closing it," she said.
Ricci (in Bill Blass) countered: "I did lots of my own stunts — including all the kung fu fighting." Both petite stars wore Puma Motorsport suits throughout the film, for which the company was an official partner, even designing a Speed Racer sneaker that stars signed on Saturday, with auction proceeds going to charity. The after party offered guests such as BFFs Kate Beckinsale and Victoria Beckham a chance to race in go-karts and snack from pretzel stands and cotton candy booths.
SPRING FLOWERS: Contemporary designer Rebecca Taylor has partnered with Manhattan flower shop Belle Fleur to create a custom Mother's Day arrangement. Taylor said she decided to partner with the florist after being inspired by her own 14-month-old twin girls, Zoe and Isabel. "Being a newish mom, I had fun thinking about what flowers I would love to receive," she said. "The variety of flowers in season this time of year are incredible — it made my job very easy. I wanted to make the bouquet really fresh and springlike, not too contrived. I am sending one to my mom this year."
The bouquet, which costs $150 (plus a $20 delivery fee in Manhattan), includes an arrangement of lisianthus, sweet peas, white lilacs, parrot tulips and peonies.
BRIONI'S FAREWELL BID: Brioni is closing its women's store at 67 East 57th Street in Manhattan, WWD has learned. The Italian luxury house instead plans to sell its women's line from the adjacent men's store at 57 East 57th Street. Brioni had opened the 1,500-square-foot stand-alone boutique at the base of the Four Seasons hotel in 2002, signaling a major push into the women's sector, which also included hiring Cristina Ortiz as creative director of Brioni women's wear in 2005. Ortiz left for Ferragamo last year and hasn't been replaced, leading some to speculate that Brioni was winding down its women's business. Antonella De Simone, who oversees marketing and communications at Brioni, said the company remains committed to its nascent women's business, which generates about 10 percent of turnover. "We have no intention of closing it," she said.
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