• Kim Kardashian‘s newest beau, Kanye West, is confirmed for a cameo on Keeping Up With The Kardashians (because their short romance hasn’t been publicized enough). Wonder if they’ll have footage of the couple at West’s Fall 2012 show? (Idolator)
• Newly-appointed Dior couturier Raf Simons talked to WWD about his vision for the brand. He plans to stick to his minimalist aesthetic, but will add a dose of that famous Dior femininity to his designs: “When I’m married to a house, I will fully embrace its original intention, its original heritage and meaning…I wouldn’t go to that place if I only had minimalism in mind,” he said. “I’m very aware of what the environment is about.” (WWD)
• American Apparel CEO Dov Charney sat down with CNBC’s Jane Wells to talk about his floundering company, its profitability (or lack thereof,) and the numerous allegations identifying him as a sexual predator. When Wells asked why Charney continues to hold on to his unprofitable business model, the CEO asked her to change her perspective: “I think you’re casting it in the wrong light, that it’s unprofitable. From the accounting perspective, ten, twenty feet up, yeah, it’s unprofitable. If you get down at the numbers, our gross margins — I’m talking about the cost versus the selling price — our gross margins are as high as a luxury brand like Prada.” Right. As for his predatorial tendencies, Charney thinks being a total creeper is a testament to his success: “That’s also a testimony to my success Fall 2012 Tren, though, the fact that I’m a target for baseless lawsuits … All the lawsuits that have been levied against me are baseless … I’m not going to sit here and go through thousands of pages or something monster dr dre headphones, but the allegations that I acted improperly at any time are completely a fiction.” (The Cut)
• Vogue Netherlands just launched, and now there are rumors that Condé Nast might add a Thai iteration of the Fashion Bible. A Thai newspaper says that ELLE Thailand Editor-in-Chief, Kullawit Laosuksri coach handbag outlet, is in talks with Condé Nast to start working on the project. Vogue Thailand sounds like an amazing idea, but when oh when will we get Vogue Africa? (TFS)
• New York City has released The Fashion NYC 2020 report, a summary of how the fashion industry has been doing so far from a fiscal and business standpoint. According to the report, fast fashion has seen tremendous growth (a surprise to no one), and New York City is still America’s fashion capital. NYC Mayor-for-Life Mike Bloomberg plans to use the 27-page report to strategize a way to keep NYC’s status as the top location to build a career in fashion. (WWD)
~Jihan