Wilhelmina Vs. IMG
Yet another nasty catfight between rival modeling agencies: Wilhelmina Models has slapped a lawsuit against IMG Models for hiring men’s- model agent Kevin Apana to launch its men’s division. Wilhelmina filed a complaint against IMG last Thursday in New York State Supreme Court. IMG Senior Vice President/Managing Director Ivan Bart and Apana are also named in the suit.
Last week, IMG, which closed its men’s division in 2005, announced it will relaunch its men’s board with Apana and former Wilhelmina agent Greg Chan. According to reports, both men worked at Wilhelmina until February. But according to the complaint, Apana was in the middle of a two-year contract with Wilhelmina to work as a senior model agent, earning $155,000 annually, when he resigned. The suit claims Apana, who lives in Brooklyn, was in breach of contract when he accepted the role at IMG.
“Despite the fact that Apana’s contract with Wilhelmina is still in effect, IMG believes it can simply ‘muscle’ its way back into the men’s modeling business by hiring Apana and taking advantage of Apana’s significant experience, knowledge and contacts with other agencies, Wilhelmina’s male models and its clients,” said the suit. Neither a rep for Wilhelmina or an IMG Models spokesman had any comments on the complaint.
Lagerfeld’s Smoking Ban
Is it the Hedi Slimane effect? Paris runways have been flooded with Yves Saint Laurent references, including plenty of tuxedos, no doubt a riposte to the influential men’s wear designer’s debut at the august house.
Not so chez Chanel. “No Smoking Here” reads a sign posted in its Rue Cambon studios, a tongue-in-chic declaration that Chanel has oodles of its own codes to exalt. Karl Lagerfeld handed out the hilarious illustration to editors during previews Monday. Delicately hand-colored by Lagerfeld, it depicts a woman in a “smoking” — the French term for tuxedo — puffing away, a big red line through her. “We don’t have to do smoking. Hedi Slimane really does it well,” Lagerfeld said with a grin, noting that he owned tuxedos by Slimane when he was designer at Dior Homme. “They were impeccable.”
Giles Deacon’s New Shoes
Giles Deacon has teamed up with Superga to launch a footwear capsule collection for next summer. The British designer has realized three styles, including a creeper in printed pony skin available in three different tones, such as fuchsia, military green and beige. Deacon also worked printed snakeskin for a classic Superga sneaker and for a high-top style, both embellished with studs.
The “Giles for Superga” capsule will be available at prices starting from $193 at a number of high-end boutiques worldwide, including 10 Corso Como in Milan, Dover Street Market in London, L’Eclaireur in Paris, along with Susan of Burlingame in San Francisco and Linda Dresner in Birmingham, Michigan.
– Taneisha Jordan
Sources: WWD; Page Six
Photo: WWD
