Simon Spurr

Backstage at Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012. Photo by Greg Kessler.

>> Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

• Marc Jacobs has just inked a deal to do a line of beauty products with Sephora, the beauty retailer owned by LVMH — which also owns Jacobs's eponymous line as well as Louis Vuitton, the other brand Jacobs designs. The cosmetics line is in its infancy, so there's no price point or release date set as of now. "We currently are working on defining what Marc Jacobs cosmetics will be, what they'll say, what makes them distinctive," Jacobs said. "I think that will take some time, but the first meeting was good." [Fashion Etc.]
  

• Front-row darling Nicki Minaj has written a song about her experience during Fashion Week, in which she name checks not only Anna Wintour but also Oscar de la Renta. Quoth Minaj: "When I'm sitting with Anna, I'm really sitting with Anna / Ain't a metaphor punchline, I'm really sitting with Anna / Front row at Oscar de la Renta, posture / Ain't a b*tch that could do it, not even my imposter." The song, "Come on a Cone," is a track from her new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, which debuted today. [The Fashion Spot]
  

• Not to be left out of all the Olympic-size fun Stella McCartney is having, Prada announced today that it will sponsor Italy's national sailing team in the upcoming games. The fashion house will furnish uniforms for both the team's athletes and its technical staff. [The Daily Telegraph]
  

• Simon Spurr, who left his eponymous clothing company just two days after being nominated for the CFDA award for menswear, still hasn't explained why he left — other than to say there were issues within the company that made it impossible for him to stay. But he's still hoping to win that award. "If they don't vote for me this year, they're not going to next year," he said. "It's now or never." [The Cut]
  

• The current number of pregnant Victoria's Secret Angels now stands at three, with models Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, and Lily Aldridge all expecting additions to their families in the coming months — and they have the baby bumps to prove it. [LilSugar]

>> Anyone requesting samples from Simon Spurr is out of luck — the company has stopped loaning out clothing, and halted its public relations activities, in the wake of Spurr's departure.

Sarvie Nasseri, who handles public relations for the men's clothing company, told WWD in an email that “at this time all p.r. is on hold." The hold is only temporary, but until it's lifted, Spurr won't be lending clothing to magazines or celebrities who want to wear them for red carpet appearances.

Spurr left his company last Friday – two days after being nominated for for the CFDA Award for menswear. To date, neither he nor the executives who are still at the company have commented on his departure, but it's understood that cofounder Judd Nyles wants to keep the line open without Spurr.

>> Simon Spurr's unexpected departure from his eponymous clothing label hasn't disqualified him from winning this year's CFDA Award for menswear, but it might make it slightly more difficult for him to take it home.

CFDA executive director Steven Kolb told WWD that "it’s the individual, not the company, that is nominated," which means Spurr could still beat out fellow nominees Billy Reid and Patrik Ervell. Spurr left his post as creative director of his company without explanation on Saturday, just two days after being nominated for the award. Kolb noted that Spurr's exit might change the way voters see Spurr, adding that he hopes they "vote on that body of work."

Simon Spurr executives Judd Nyes — who started the company in 2006 — and CFO Jenny Villareal had no comment on the matter, but it's understood that they want to keep the company's doors open without Spurr.

>> Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

• Franca Sozzani defended Vogue Italia's recent Haute Mess spread against accusations that it was racist, saying that it was not her intention to cause controversy with images of candy bars pasted into models' hairdos. "A racist image, I really do not understand," she said. "I went through the pages so many times. Like when we did the Black Issue, everybody said that we did that on purpose because Obama was the person chosen to go to the White House, and if you just think one second, not more than one second, you can see that to make a magazine like what we did for the Black Issue, it takes six months [to do]. … What do you answer? They don't know what it means to work at a magazine. That's it." [The Cut]
• Menswear designer Simon Spurr left his eponymous fashion label last week without explanation. "At this moment, I'm not at liberty to say anything about what's gone on," he stated in an email. His unexpected departure came just a week after being nominated for the CFDA's menswear designer of the year award. [WWD]
• Despite a statement from Vogue to the contrary, rumors have persisted that current cover girl Jennifer Lopez will be performing at the Met Gala this May. She's been a regular attendee of the event in the past, and with the added attention of being on the magazine's cover this Spring, the idea that she'll perform makes sense. Wait and see. [Fashion Etc.]

GQ rounded up some of Hollywood's hottest men in LA last night to celebrate its annual Men of the Year issue. Taylor Lautner broke from hanging with his new lady friend to suit up for the black carpet along with James Franco, who mentioned that his mustache is for a new role. James Marsden looked dapper too, and he stopped to chat with us about how he'd nominate his wife for Babe of the Year. That honor has already gone to Scarlett Johansson, who you think deserves props for her look about as much as her Sexiest Man Alive husband, Ryan Reynolds. Scarlett and Ryan both skipped yesterday's party, but some other honorees from People's latest list turned out. Kellan Lutz covered his abs in a plaid Simon Spurr, and True Blood stud Joe Manganiello was likewise dressed up.

The fun continued inside the Chateau Marmont for some loved-up couples like Anna Faris and Chris Pratt, Channing Tatum and his wife, Jenna Dewan, and the recently married Dave Annable and Odette Yustman. Krysten Ritter celebrated wrapping up work with Kate Bosworth on BFF & Baby by saying hello to Sam Page, of Gossip Girl and Mad Men, while Aziz Ansari could hardly contain his enthusiasm at chilling with Jesse Eisenberg. Twilight's Taylor practiced his flirting with Jaime King, as Boardwalk Empire's Michael Pitt stuck by his costar Steve Buscemi. James Franco spent a minute chatting with Mark Ruffalo, who told us on the way in that he's thankful this year for being employed as a relatively older actor. There's lots more to come on today's PopSugar Rush, so make sure to stay tuned!

To see more from the event, including Kid Rock, Camilla Belle, and more, just read more

Simon Spurr discusses his special brand of tailored elegance and important lessons learned by working for Hedi, Calvin, and Ralph with Interview's Derek Blasberg.

Sarah Jessica Parker is rumored to be working with Halston.

Scary collaboration alert: Ugg and Jimmy Choo.

Vogue.com UK's best dressed men list includes Johnny Depp Jamie Hince, David Beckham, and Henry Holland.

Gilt Groupe goes V.I.P with Gilt Noir, accessible to the top .01 percent of customers who spent at least $10,00 on the site last year. Members include Gwyneth Paltrow.

Judy and Jane Aldridge designed a trench coat for Gryphon without ever meeting founder, Aimee Cho.

First images of Emma Watson's collection for U.K. brand People Tree feature wardrobe basics made with organic, fair trade cotton.

Tony Blair could help LVMH's forays into new markets such as India.

Source: Simon Spurr