Marc Jacobs goes Cuckoo for t.A.T.u.

Photo: Getty Images

The Russian are-they-or-are-they-not lesbian dance-rock duo t.A.T.u. (reportedly translated from Russian as "This that" in the feminine grammatical gender form) are the new face(s) of Marc by Marc Jacobs Russia. The band broke the news on their website yesterday with this tiny press release:

t.A.T.u. - Marc by Marc Jacobs Russian campaign will support the launch of PR-project “Marc’s Girl”. In Marc Jacobs  Moscow boutique from 2 to 16 September there will be an on-going competition for the most trendy fashion-lovers –- every girl can come and try herself in a photo-casting. The winners will be invited to the Marc Jacobs fashion show in New York, featured in a photoshoot in a fancy glossie and presented with designer clothes MbM. Find out more details in Marc Jacobs boutique in Moscow (Petrovka Str, 16).

A backstage look at the girls (they weren't, apparently) prepping for their couture close-ups popped up on YouTube.com as well, and if t.A.T.u. really aren't lesbians perhaps it's because they're actually gay men, seeing as the soundtrack that was chosen for the clip is the gayest thing we've heard in a long time:

-- NOAH MICHELSON

The Met Costume Institute Benefit; ELLE Out, Marie Claire In? Songstress Agyness Deyn; Donatella Denies H&M; SJP talks Sex

Donatella Versace. Photo: Getty Images

As reported yesterday, The Metropolitan Museum was prepping for the onslaught of glitterati that would descend upon the Costume Institute Gala for the opening of the exhibition "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy." It was A-list all the way.  We found our invitation buried under some magazines on the coffee table, but all the gay drama on Gossip Girl was way better. [WWD]

Though guaranteed to remain Project Runway's sponsor through season five (which premieres this summer), is ELLE in danger of being dethroned by Marie Claire in season six?  After all, Nina Garcia was spotted leaving the Hearts building—which owns MC—last week.[The Cut]

We were all admittedly nervous when we heard Agnyess Deyn was set to make her debut in the music industry with a collaboration with hipster New York band Five O'Clock Horses.  Well, their first single is out...and it's not that bad! [Perez Hilton]

After rolling out diffusion lines from Madonna, Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli, Donatella Versace told a crowd at The New York Times'  TimesTalk that Versace will not collaborate with H&M for their own lower-priced line.  Then she started talking about wearing leather, taking drugs and being lonely, and everyone got slightly uncomfortable. [The Cut]

Sarah Jessica Parker also gave her own, thankfully less awkward interview at the TimesTalk last Friday where she dished on, what else, the Sex and the City movie.  Our appetites (and maybe our pants) are wet. [Fashionista] -- SETH PLATTNER

Louis Vuitton Goes Floral; Daft Punk Does Playboy; Tom Ford Wants to be a Daddy; Topshop Arrives in US; Apple's Computer Confuses TSA

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Louis Vuitton is getting into the floral business! Well, sort of. The luxury goods company is selling white fabric roses in Japan to honor White Day in Japan—sort of like the White Party but fewer drugs and muscle Marys. But these roses feature the LV monogram on one of the petals . And you thought a dozen red roses were expensive. Maybe something was lost in translation. [Fashionista ]

Playboy tapped Daft Punk, Iggy Pop and The Shins to overhaul the iconic bunny logo for a line of limited edition t-shirts. A Playmate will make an appearance at Bloomingdale's tomorrow to make sure the hornball teenagers fork over their lunch money. [The Cut]

Tom Ford dishes on Gucci, his designs on fatherhood with his boyfriend and death being the ultimate retirement. How can you not love this man? [Fashion Week Daily]

Topshop is coming! Topshop is coming! The first stateside flagship of the British cheap-chic retailer that is sure to give H&M a run for its money will open in SoHo in October. The store is hiring now. If you're a cheap bastard, you can get a discount on the already cheap clothes. [The Cut]

Apple's super slim MacBook Air caused an unexpected delay at the airport when TSA officials refused to believe that the impossibly small computer was exactly that. Size queens. [Engadget]

Valentino Heads to the Middle East; Topshop in NYC; Duran Duran on Broadway; Paris Hilton Style Thief?

While Yohji Yamamoto and Karl Lagerfeld head to the Far East to show their collections, Valentino announced yesterday that he will show his final Spring 2008 collection again...(wait for it)...in the Middle East. The designer plans to show during Abu Dhabi's fashion week on November 17th...what retirement? [Fashionista]

Topshop, the UK's answer to H&M and purveyors of Kate Moss' fashion dabblings, is rumored to have found a stateside home in the heart of NYC's SoHo neighborhood. Except no one told long-time Soho resident store, Yellow Rat Bastard, who currently resides at Topshop's rumored Manhattan address. [Fashion Week Daily]

Here's the strangest story of the day: The has-been 80s band Duran Duran (yes, I said it.) is performing on Broadway; Their clothes are designed by Juicy Couture; Celebrities plan to attend opening night; They have a story in WWD. Is this the twilight zone? [WWD]

Paris Hilton is being sued by a woman who claims the heiress stole her style...and claims emotional distress. Seriously? According to Fashionista, the woman alleges that Hilton "stole O'Neill's idea to expose her underwear under her trousers. O'Neill also claims Paris swiped her idea to shop in vintage stores for retro dresses." I didn't realize that dressing like a slut or wearing vintage clothes were registered trademarks. [Fashionista]

New Man at Valentino; Datarock My World; Fashion Roadkill; Pete Wentz

Alessandra Facchinetti, the new head honcho at Valentino, picked Ferruccio Pozzoni to head menswear design for the legendary fashion house now that Valentino has stepped down. Of course, that's all just gossip until the real announcement comes later today. [WWD]

I went to a Datarock concert and fell in love with some Norwegian men in red jogging suits.  [Popnography]

You've probably watched it over and over again, but here's the video of the model falling in a runway pothole. It's almost as funny as Carrie Bradshaw becoming fashion roadkill. [YouTube]

Fallout Boy's Pete Wentz admits the he doesn't know much about fashion even though he owns a clothing line and is collaborating with DKNY. Thanks for letting us know. We are way ahead of you. Your greasy hair, lack of bathing, sloppy faux-punk style and arm candy girlfriend already tipped us off. [NY Daily News]

Mix Tape: 10 Songs to Listen to When Getting Dressed

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A great night out begins with getting dressed to the perfect soundtrack. Here's the Stylelist picks for 10 songs that will make a rough work week seem so far away and leave you feeling fabulous.

1. Music Inferno (live) - Madonna
2. Fergalicious - Fergie
3. Friday Night - Lily Allen
4. The Mating Game - Bitter:Sweet
5. Love Don't Let Me Go - David Guetta
6. Get Up (featuring Chamillionaire) - Ciara
7. O.G. Bitch (Bill Hamel Club Mix) - Esthero
8. Ooh La La - Goldfrapp
9. Listen Up (MSTRKRFT Mix) - The Gossip
10. Yummy (feat. Pharrell) - Gwen Stefani

Summer Listening, World Music Edition

It's technically too early in the season to wear white (what does that mean? anyway, we already posted instrux on how to go sour cream in style...), but certainly not too early to think about tunes for the summer. Some hot tips for every taste:

Your Spanish comprehension has now surpassed Manu Chao. Trendwatcher Josh Spear highlights Venezuelan dance sensation Los Amigos Invisibles. Goes down like a nice white wine spritzer. See if you can follow the lyrics of "Yo No Se."

You have fantasies of being lured into a hentai video and being seduced by a boi-ish lesbian. Monocle is crazy about M-flo's "Summer Time Love" and has posted the Japanese rapper's amusing video.

You need a jaw-dropping riposte to get the boys to take their paws off you. Try the refrain "I'm sorry I'm a lesbian" from "Lesbian and Gay Song" by Slovakia's Horkýže Slíže. This punky dance anthem is a Stylelist favorite, we ardently wish that it would break through stateside. Bonus: the video includes naked men in the shower.

You never got over that Echo & the Bunnymen sound. Stereogum adores "Your Devilish Eyes" by the New Violators. After Annie, Sondre Lerche, and Kings of Convenience, how much more excellent music can tiny Norway produce?

Mika ♥ Thatcher

Not-in, not-out popkid Mika continues his campaign for world domination (next stop: Coachella). German Vanity Fair has just posted an interview with the UK singer, in which he sounds a little testy, irritated by the reporter's characterization of his bright red skinny pants as "painful-looking". The translation is ours, we take full responsibility for any inconsistencies:

VF: How long do you take in the bathroom in the morning?
Mika: I'm pretty quick there. But I take forever in my closet. After all I have to find the two pieces of clothing which go together least. But most days I take about five minutes. That's because I always get up late and have to rush.

Big Time Opportunity

Björk has invited submissions to be the director of the video for her new single, "Innocence". Listen to the song (it is kinda catchy, though it failed the living room dance test), then follow these bewildering instructions:

"Innocence is to be made as video. An idea is born. The idea is to make the video. The video to Innocence, a song of yet to be released Volta record. Who is to make the video? Another idea is born: It is to be you, my dear!"
Photo: Getty Images

Glossary: Idolia, Sludge, Hellbilly

How to tell Emo from Screamo, and should one consume Jamgrass? Esquire offers this handy guide to the rapidly-fracturing music scene.

Emo Avatar: Dashboard Confessional's Chris Carrabba.

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