Tastemaker: Kevin Carrigan

Photo: Spencer Heyfron

Out's November issue showcases our annual Tastemakers portfolio which highlights the hippest arbiters of style currently leading the charge at the forefront of the nation's ongoing cultural revolution.

From fashion phenoms to chic restaurateurs to dance company directors, the impeccable taste and sensibility of these men make our lives simpler, prettier, happier, and richer. Today's trendsetter is Kevin Carrigan:

As creative director for Calvin Klein and ck Calvin Klein, Kevin Carrigan oversees the brands styles of men's and women's sportswear, denim, underwear, accessories, licensed products, and even store designs. With $4.5 billion in licensed retail sales and over 230 shops worldwide, that's a lot of responsibility, but Carrigan takes it on with aplomb, approaching each season one theme at a time.

"It's extremely important for me to have one consistent message for the season that can be applied to different areas and different regions -- one emotion with many expressions," he says. "The process evolves from color to concept, moving from the two-dimensional to the three-dimensional form."

Carrigan studied at London's Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication and earned his master's degree in fashion design at the Royal College of Art, then cut his teeth at Nicole Farhi in France and Max Mara in Italy -- though his real taste for fashion developed while watching his grandmother, a seamstress, at work.

-- CHRIS ROVZAR

Previously > Steven Durbahn & Jonathan Morr > George Yabu & Glenn Pushelberg

Prince Charles: Beautician?; Justin Timberlake To Fron Fashion Rocks Concert; Smell This: Love and Luck; Agnyess Deyn Over Stays her Welcome; Adam Lippes Blogs Out; Calvin Klein Returns to NY

Photo: Getty Images

Making waves across the pond is Prince Charles'--yes, that Prince Charles--five piece organic skin treatment set called Highgrove, named after his estate in Gloucestershire.  It's already widely sold out across the continent, and we hope it works miracles because God knows Camilla's hurting for one. [WWD]

Annoyingly ubiquitous Justin Timberlake will headline the Conde Nast benefit, Fashion Rocks, on September 5th, which is oh-so-coincidentally the start date of NY Fashion Week.  Sounds like someone could use a little lesson in saturation. [Fashionista]

The tattoo-inspired inaugural fragrance launch from Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier was so successful he'll launch a follow up pair of men's and women's fragrances this December.  Nothing like a new scent for the holidays to cover up the desperate smell of alcohol and bitterness. [WWD]

While at first they were glad to get some well-received coverage when Agnyess Deyn fronted for one of their songs, bandmates of Five O'clock Heroes are now getting a little tired of being overshadowed by all the attention her one tune, "Who," is getting.  The model shadow does loom large indeed. [Contact Music]

As if designing clothes isn't time consuming enough. ADAM designer Adam Lippes will launch a blog on his website, shopadam.com.  I'm sure it will be great and all, but never forget where your allegiances lie, bitches...[WWD]

To commemorate the brand's 40th anniversary, Calvin Klein will stage a full-scale menswear show next February during New York Fashion Week.  Normally shown in Milan, it's about time Mr. Klein shed that hoity-toity attitude and came home.  [DNR]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Cathy Horyn on Juergen Teller; Armani's Commercial Competition; Are the 50s back?; Calvin Klein Heads East; Oldham Replaced by Hicks

Photo: Getty Images

Cathy Horyn dishes on Marc Jacobs' collaboration with Juergen Teller. [On The Runway]

I don't want to act, I want to direct! Giorgio Armani is holding a competition to find the next great advertising director to film the next Emporio Armani Parfums commercial. He's inviting aspiring directors to create a commercial for his line of fragrances and submit them online. Submit your film by May 15th! The winner will be chosen by Mr. Armani himself. At least it won't be televised as a reality show. [British Vogue]

Are 50s Rockabilly fashions back in style in London? I thought the swing dancing and poodle skirts made their comeback about ten years ago. I guess we'll start seeing the greaser look stateside in about six months. [Independent via The Cut]

Calvin Klein is heading East...to the Middle East, that is.. to showcase collections and debut a new beauty line in Dubai. Since the U.S. economy sucks, why not hit up the oil-rich Emirates for some cold hard cash? [FWD]

Bahama-dwelling model/interior designer/author India Hicks will replace Todd Oldham (pictured) on Bravo's Top Design as a judge, but the cherubic homo will stay with the show and continue his role as the gay nurturing mentor a la Tim Gunn. [FWD]

Out.com Fashion Advice: A Short Story

A look from Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 2008 Collection Photos: Getty Images

Each week, the fashion editors at Out.com answer your fashion questions! Visit Out.com for new advice or seek answers to your own style quandaries by sending an email to fashionadvice@out.com!

Q: Things are starting to warm up and I’m interested in buying some shorts, but my friend told me that my cargo shorts aren’t cool anymore. What should I buy for spring and summer?

A: Unless you’re packing some precious cargo in those oversized pockets, skip the cargo shorts. All that baggage just adds more junk to your trunk and needless bulk where you would rather look slim and trim. If you really need to carry a ton of cargo, buy a stylish bag. This season, shorts run the gamut of short and shorter -- from nut-hugging numbers to knee-length Bermuda shorts. Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Lacoste all offer short-short styles that show a little more thigh by stopping a few inches above the knee without reaching daisy-duke territory. If you’re not up for showing some thigh, preppy-classic Bermuda shorts are also back for another season. But they’ve received a little nip and tuck while in hibernation. Designers like Louis Vuitton, Missoni and Band of Outsiders have taken a cue from skinny trousers and slimmed down the silhouette for an overall lean look that would look great with the season’s nautical looks. Let’s just say that this season’s styles will show off your biggest asset.

A look from Lacoste's Spring/Summer 2008 Collection

YSL Loves Opera; Amelie does Coco; Tom Brady for CK Underwear, Smell like Hef

Photo: Getty Images

In a clever and unexpected marketing move, Yves Saint Laurent is sponsoring New York City's Metropolitan Opera for the next four years. But will the fat lady sing before she can fit into a YSL gown? [The Cut]

Amelie star and French film darling, Audrey Tatou will play Coco Chanel in a film biopic of the fashion icon. [WWD]

Is Tom Brady the new face (and body) of Calvin Klein Underwear? [NY Post via The Cut]

Playboy's original creep, Hugh Hefner, is following in Halle Berry's footsteps and releasing a fragrance with Coty. Because nothing says sexy better than smelling like a dirty old man. [WWD]

Galliano and Diesel Tag Team; Men and Metal; Kanye West's Bling; Cavalli Gets Spicey; Calvin Klein Check Up; Fashion Robbery!

Meet fashion's newest odd couple. Dior's John Galliano teams up with Diesel to design a line for kids? A match made in heaven? [WWD, sub req'd]

Fashionista explores the shining question: Can a man wear metallic clothing? You decide! [Fashionista]

Rumor has it that Giles Deacon could be chosen to resurrect the design house of visionary surrealist Elsa Schiaparelli? Yes, please! [Vogue UK]

Kanye West is entering into the business of bling. At Wednesday night's Givenchy presentation, he was spotted wearing a "gold Manga-style diamond-studded pendant," says WWD, that was designed by West and Takashi Murakami. Bling is so five years ago. [WWD]

Roberto Cavalli will design the costumes for the Spice Girls reunion tour. Thank God the rumors that David Beckham would stitch the outfits himself were falsies—just like Posh's boobs (so they say)! [Vogue UK]

Calvin Klein dishes to Vogue Hommes International about his feelings about the clothes sold under his name, and his interest in pursuing architecture. I mean, designing buildings can't be any harder than designing a chic dress, right? [WWD]

The London Moped Gang strikes again! FrostFrench is the latest victim in a string of high-end boutique robberies including Luella, Marc Jacobs, Roger Vivier and Brora. The bandits nabbed thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. At least they have good taste in clothes. [Vogue UK]

Armani Goes Mobile; Sailor Chic History Lesson; Porn Star Meets Fashion

Photo: Getty Images

In the wake of John McCain's "gay sweater" stupidity, the NY Times asks if a presidential candidate's fashion sense would affect your vote. Are we paying too much attention to their style? [NY Times]

Giorgio Armani follows in the footsteps of Prada, Diane von Furstenberg and Calvin Klein by announcing plans to launch an Armani-branded cell phone in Europe this fall. Prada teamed up with LG last year to create a chic touch-screen number, and Diane von Furstenberg designed a DVF T-Mobile Sidekick. Will the Armani phone be an iPhone killer? Probably not. [Fashionista]

London's National Maritime Museum will open an exhibit focused on the history of sailor-chic fashion from Coco Chanel's sun-kissed look to all those horizontal nautical stripes that are everywhere this season. Ahoy! [International Herald Tribune]

Gay porn star Francois Sagat (and his tattooed hair) was selected to model Bernhard Willhelm's Fall/Winter 2007 menswear collection in an naughty look book. [OMG Blog]