Lily Allen’s ads for Chanel are out, and they’re all very Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I’m a big Lily fan, and think the singer looks fabulous in the campaign. What with a jewelry line in a works and an arm bedecked with quilted handbags, might Allen be turning a high fashion corner?

Amber Valletta is the latest celebrity to “design” a line of clothing. She’s collaborating with Los Angeles based brand Monrow, that of the super soft and baggier than Kain t-shirts. Amber claims she chose Monrow because she didn’t want to make “clothes that are not accessible” but what she really means is that she didn’t want to make the kind of clothes that made her famous.

American Apparel’s Dov Charney is carefully weeding out the ugly people from his company. Apparently, when Charney heard his sales were down, he required all stores to take a group picture. Then, he demanded all those who “didn’t fit the AA aesthetic” be fired. This has lawsuit written all over it, no?

Gilt Groupe’s about to get a whole lot better. Come August 12^th, they’re launching a sister site, Gilt Fuse, which will feature flash sales at significantly lower prices. Hallelujah!

Excited for The CW’s Beautiful Life? Now that Mischa Barton’s been released from the hospital, filming can begin. Check out this great article from WWD, which paints the show as Gossip Girl for the fashion industry. Will we see Sara Paxton sitting front row in New York come September?

Brown’s, a British department store that’s the across the pond equivalent to Net-a-Porter, has just launched its answer to Natalie Massenet’s Outnet. Their site, Labels for Less, will feature one season old pieces up to 70% off.

Who knew Gisele was even remotely eco-friendly? Apparently, she’s signed up to host the Internet show GiGi & The Green Team, which is described as a series of webisodes where an animated Gisele is a supermodel by day and an eco-superhero by night.

After news hit that Vogue’s ad pages were way down, word has surfaced that the mag is getting a major makeover. American Vogue’s been lagging behind its European counterparts in terms of high fashion for some time now, so perhaps this revamping is just what it needs to get back to the top. Though I have to admit, I liked the lack of ad pages – it meant a greener magazine, and a lighter load.

This isn’t quite fashion news, but did you know that Taylor Momsen had NYC Prep’s Sebastian to her sweet sixteen last week? Momsen wore a sheer pink slipdress. Would you rock lingerie on stage at sixteen?

ThreeasFour’s new lookbook went the green route – instead of an actual book, it’s a video.

Looking to design your own eco-friendly clothing, but getting a bit sick of bamboo? Check out cupro – with base materials of wood pulp and cotton linters, this repurposed fabric is all green, all the time. Not to mention its silky feel drapes beautifully on skin. For an example of cupro done right, check out eco-designer Elaine Kim.

Alexander Wang’s bike shorts have hit Shopbop.com. They’re one of the Editor’s Picks – made of rayon and spandex, they retail for an astounding $395. FOR BIKE SHORTS. Cheap Jap says it best.

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We here at Beanstockd love to stick it to the man, and this week we’ve figured out how to do it in style. Readers, meet The People’s Shoe: forward-thinking footwear with a down to earth heritage.

Now the newest addition to our collection of kicks – replacing our trusty Keds and beloved Supergas – is inspired by the shoes worn everyday by workers in Shanghai. As Anton Brandt, founder of The People’s Shoe puts it, "these shoes are for the people, by the people."

The backstory tells like a Sundance indie hit. Fresh out of college, Brandt takes a six month trip to Southeast Asia, gap months prior to starting work at an art gallery in New York City. The last stop on the trip is Shanghai, where Brandt is struck by an a-ha moment, rethinking everything in life from his job to his career to who he wants to be surrounded by. In that moment he Brandt decides to quit the job and security that comes along with it in New York, and instead sets up shop indefinitely in Shanghai. While there Brandt finds himself spending evenings eating dinner on the street with workers; as he explains it, "I’ve always had a passion for workers, their aesthetic, and I started adopting their style especially their shoes. I started wearing them everywhere, and my friends would ask me where’d you get those shoes?" Soon Brandt is shipping shoes to his friends, they become his calling card, friends start telling friends, and before he knows it he’s got 200 emails from complete strangers sitting in his inbox with one request: "can you get me a pair of those sneakers?"

Cue second big a-ha moment: Brandt realizes he’s onto something, and so up he leaves Shanghai and jets back home to California to start a business from his parents’ garage. And though after 2 years the company has now moved to new loft space in LA, making a name for itself among fashionistas, kick enthusiasts, and shoe wearers in general, it and its founder remain humble – "I’m always surprised when people say they’ve heard of us," says Brandt.

The People’s Shoe embodies a classic, basic aesthetic that is incredibly on trend. We’re not lying when we say we ogled the pair of grey on grey lace ups for weeks. Not only are these shoes built on the basis of respecting their heritage, and therefore people that make and wear them every day, but they aim to be the universal shoe, "we’re not only catering to hipsters in skinny jeans" says Brandt. Finally, to sweeten the mix, The People’s Shoe has eliminated the shoebox and now your pair comes to you in a reusable tote bag.

We love it when fashion has a conscience, and The People’s Shoe certainly proves that footwear can drive social change. In Brandt’s own words: "I don’t understand why a brand would exist without having a positive impact on the world. It was so integral to me to give back…that was integral, a positive impact."

Drizzler

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The people who ride bike in New York are two-wheeled calamities. It’s summer and it’s crowded out there. As the employee of an eco-news site, I know I should heap praise upon cyclists, but I just can’t—and I was one of those obnoxious kids that rode roughshod flouting helmet laws and getting hit by Jeeps back in the day. To best describe the city’s cyclists I say: Imagine the guy who always got a little overzealous during gym class floor hockey on a ten-speed.

I’m obsessed with The T.O. Show – the new VH1 reality series that follows Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens. I legit watched the first episode thrice. The main difference between The T.O. Show and others like it is that Owens is a relevant celebrity at the top of his profession…like The Stallionaires, Real and Chance. The premise of the show is to help Terrell reform his ostentatious image and find a good woman with the help of his publicists and best friends Monique Jackson and Kita Williams. It’s no less scripted than The Hills, but I like my reality shows staged. In the first two episodes, T.O. already boned the Filipino real estate agent and impulse-bought a $137,000 pair of diamond earrings. Isn’t he an amazing screenwriter?

So if you haven’t heard by now, Erin Andrews, ESPN’s model-esque sideline reporter, was video taped by a peeping tom in Omaha. The crafty and enterprising pervert drilled a small hole into Andrews’ hotel room and video taped her in a glorious state of undress. (The footage was sold and web sites purporting to have the video have instead been spreading viruses all over the Internet.) Now, ESPN is out for blood. The New York Post, who published blurred out screen caps from the video, is first on the hit list. Meanwhile, Andrews, an alumnus of the University of Florida’s dance team, The Dazzlers, is holed up in her Georgia home fending off the paps. She even called 911 on a pair and had this choice quote: “I did nothing wrong and I’m being treated like f@%king Britney Spears and it sucks.”

Finally, being that I’m one of the few dudes on staff here at Beanstockd, I’m privy to many of the inherent neuroses of the young cosmopolitan female set. Basically, that means lots of waistline watching and frequent fro-yo field trips. (It gets hot in the office; we have a strict AC policy) A lifelong TCBY man myself, I’d like to weigh in on the war between mysterious frozen treats that has found its way east. It pits L.A.’s Pinkberry against New York’s Tasti D-Lite. (Red Mango’s battle with Pinkberry isn’t as relevant in New York). Having now sampled both, I can honestly say this: Tasti D-Lite disgraces Pinkberry the way I used to indiscriminately bring shame upon losers in high school. I’m really not trying to be a homer, but in the fight between Pinkberry’s sour slush and Tasti-D’s all-natural fake ice cream, there’s just no contest. If you wanna know which is better to have in lieu of a proper meal, you’d have to ask our imaginary health and fitness writer, Rexy-Bean.

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Well gee golly whiz, what do we have here? What a hot piece of booty! This sexy thang has been following Miley Cyrus all over Tybee Island, Georgia, where Miss Miles is filming the raunchy movie The Last Song, written expressly for her by Nicholas Sparks. Excuse us while we vomit into our barf bag – we’re not fans of Nicholas Sparks. However, we’re also not partial to stalkers, especially ones that try to threaten our Disney princess. Mark McLeod, 53, has been following Cyrus around for a month. He was arrested, but dismissed due to “overcrowding,” which means he’s roaming the streets of Tybee Island free as a bird.

NOTE TO MILEY: Stay away from any “nice man” who offers you a piece of candy, a free ride, or a cup of lemonade. No matter how hot it gets, you never take lemonade from a stranger. Unless, that is, it’s New York City, and you’re at the BirdBath Green Bakery on 1st Avenue and 13th St, where a lovely eco-enthusiast might try to tempt you into buying a glass of the edible flower lemonade. Then, dear readers, by all means, enjoy. Just make sure you keep your security peeps with you at all times.

Sarah

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When Britney Spears first starting dating her backup dancer Kevin Federline, the world was all, “Say what? A dancer?” But for the most part, we let it go, ‘cause K-Fed wasn’t terrible looking and he was white trash just like our darling Brit Brit and he bought her Big Macs. Then they separated, Britney went off the deep end, and we pretty much forgot about Fed-Ex.

Federline, however, seems determined to make sure we remember him. He’s gaining mucho poundage so that we can’t miss him. At least, that’s what we assumed when we saw this photo of an XL Fed-Ex. His ex-wife Shar Jackson says it’s “daddy weight” but we think that’s code for “I drink soo many beers with Britney’s money, dude.” Might we suggest that if he’s going to drop dollars on brews, he attempt to help the planet by brewing from home? Check out the pros of organic home brewing, K-Fed. Just think, a dollar saved is a dollar towards your “bangin’ rich bitches” fund.

Sarah

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Contrary to initial reports, Michael Jackson’s doctor may have killed the King of Pop. Dr. Conrad Murray gave him the powerful anesthetic, Propofol to help him sleep. Investigators believe the drug stopped Jackson’s heart.

Former Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin officially resigned this weekend. In her parting speech, she attacked the media, encouraged Alaskans to continue hunting, while vowing to protect the state’s (human) interests "like that grizzly guards her cubs". Palin leaves with a 53% disapproval rating.

Of course, Palin’s "Drill Baby, Drill" exhortations are directly against all living Alaskans’ interests. Recently declassified photos show the rapidly shrinking Arctic ice caps, especially around Alaska. If Palin really wants to proctect her baby grizzly bears, she’ll have to work harder to slow climate change.

Poor Joe Jonas! While his brothers are getting some (as much "some" as teenage abstinence advocates will ever get), Joe’s bursting into tears onstage over his breakup with Teen Vogue favorite, Camilla Belle. But mourn not! Given that millions of girls are dying to not have sex with him, the middle JoeBro won’t be a fifth wheel for long.

Awkward! Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce used the same producer (Ryan Tedder of One Republic), and apparently the same backing tracks. Tedder used the same beats for Clarkson’s "Already Gone" as Beyonce’s "Halo". Hey Tedder, with a big mistake like that, it’s too late to apologize, it’s too laaaaate!

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Just when we thought Justin Timberlake couldn’t get any dreamier, he’s captured our environment-loving hearts by dropping $16 million on his public Tennessee golf course to green up his green. The newly renovated golf course, which is the first of its kind to be certified by the Audubon Classic Sanctuary Program, re-opened last weekend showcasing its exciting changes, including the added native plants, reduced energy consumption, and improved water quality. J.T. donned his cutest golf outfit to tee off on the new and improved Mirimichi course with a group including his mother and step-father, leaving our least favorite accessory, girlfriend and professional pouter Jessica Biel, at home.

Mia

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Looking for a new reusable shopping tote that isn’t super fugs? Be ecological and uber-chic with the new Karl and Marc canvas totes. Pattern People have created these exclusive canvas totes. They retail for $45 each, which is a bit expensive, but walking into Whole Foods with Lagerfeld on your arm? Priceless.

The Cut reports that Christian Siriano is collaborating with Starbucks. I spend most of my time at the coffee shop, and the thought of Siriano with my morning mocha makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Deets to come.

Green goddess Stella McCartney’s new ads for Fall 09 are out – and they feature a new model: Bambi! Apparently, the clothes are so fierce that they had to be juxtaposed with a Disney character. Thoughts?

Blake Lively has openly bragged about her lack of stylist, but it seems she might need one…desperately. Says the Gossip Girl star, “When in doubt, wear a bodysuit.” It seems Blake loves crop tops from Topshop, but doesn’t like them to be too revealing – hence, a lace bodysuit underneath. It’s like magic!

I’ve got a bit of a crush on Jessie Alon’s handcrafted jewelry. Made from reclaimed marble and recycled glass, these gorgeous pieces are available exclusively at Uncommon Goods. They start at just $45, so snag yours before they’re gone.

The all black issue of Italian Vogue has returned, and it appears Franca Sozzani has found a new muse: Barbie! The mag will style the doll in a collector’s supplement.

Could it be? Has Susan Boyle snagged a high-fashion magazine cover? Say it ain’t so! Even with her makeover, she’s no goddess – but the woman does have a badass set of pipes. Update: Boyle was shot for Harper’s, but it’s not for the cover.

Doo-Ri’s lower priced Under Ligne collection is finally here – it’s full of gorgeously draped separates in muted greys and blacks. Calling all cool girls to the head of the class!

Haters better put down their haterade: MK and A have been honored for their contributions to the fashion world. They’re now members of the CFDA, which is like the most exclusive club ever. Congrats, Olsens.

MTV’s Alexa Chung designed an eco-friendly jewelry line, says People. Who knew? Apparently, she’s “a supporter of eco-wear and charitable wearing.” Alexa, I’d raid your closet any day.

Did you know that New York County is the thinnest county in all of New York State? And probably, in all of the country, too? Well, now you know. As The Cut so lovingly reminds us, it’s always best to be the skinniest person in the room. Even if that means you never eat. Ever.

Given that Fashion Week is only a few weeks away, you’d better start fasting now – if you need diet tips, call Gwyneth – liquid fasts are so her thing.

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Shepard Fairey is at it again. This time, using his art to create an important message about the environment. The artist behind the 2008 presidential election’s iconic Barack Obama “Hope” image, (which emblazoned t-shirts, bumper stickers, posters – and even skin, as a popular tattoo of last year) has recently debuted a poster designed in a similar mixed media style, this time featuring a large windmill and the words “Clean Energy For America”. Fairey has coupled with numerous organizations including MoveOn.org in a bid to “cover September in windmills”. We think this poster will make an excellent addition to the Beanstockd office, right next to our original 1970’s print of this baby…

Mia

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We believe in second chances here at Beanstockd, but the response to Sarah’s post yesterday about Chris Brown’s apology was troubling to say the least. That so many people are coming to Chris Brown’s defense and throwing Rihanna under the bus is kind of grotesque. Lovers’ quarrels often go overboard, but like I’ve said before, why beat the hell out of the girl when berating her is way more gratifying (and way less criminal). In schtick world I might say Rihanna deserved what she got, but it’s not funny and I’m no Joe Piscopo.

Damn that Jon Gosselin moves fast. Fresh off his trip to St. Tropez with 22-year old Hailey Glassman, the 32-year old father of eight was seen romancing Star Magazine reporter Kate Major, 26, last weekend in New York. Now the two are spending time together in the Hamptons and you will not believe who they’re staying with. You guessed it, the best dad in Long Island, Michael Lohan. Says Lindsay’s dad: “Jon is a friend, he’s a great guy, he needed a place to get away to, and my doors were open to him and Kate (Major).”

Tomatoes have jock itch! A deadly fungus, spurred by the unseasonably wet spring on the eastern seaboard, has spread throughout the northeast and threatens the regional tomato crop. Organic farms have been especially hit and are driving up prices. Known as late blight, the fungus has forced many farmers to destroy huge portions of their harvest and in some cases their entire crop. How sad, I love me some pretentious Barefoot Contessa-style heirloom tomatoes. Now, they’re not even as viable a foodstuff as Boston Baked Beans.

Entourage is back. And so is Taylor Townsend, one of the best TV characters in the history of the small screen (I seriously believe that). Autumn Reeser, the actress who portrayed Ms. Townsend on The OC (the original Gossip Girl), now finds herself in Ari’s Miller/Gold Agency. She plays an up and coming agent whose hotness is potentially dangerous for the company. This isn’t the first time HBO has borrowed talent from The OC. Anybody remember Ari’s first assistant Emily? She was played by Samaire Armstrong aka Seth Cohen’s first girlfriend Anna Stern.

So this week I continued on my tour of New York’s warm weather eco-spots…well, what I consider to be eco-spots. The problem with living and working in New York is that it leaves very little time for enjoying things that require sunlight—like the newly opened High Line. It’s a section of elevated railroad on Manhattan’s west side that’s been converted into a park. Luckily, I found time to visit the much ballyhooed green space and my first inclination was to look for the bar. There isn’t one. There are lots of flowers, though. I overheard some lady talking about how many Echinacea are there. I guess they do well in urban areas. Sorry, I’m not nearly as close to being a botanist as I am to being a baboon.

On that note, tomorrow is National Tequila Day! You kids take it easy.

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