Amber Valletta's Photo Shoot for Elle is "Smokin Hot"

1. Linen jacket, Chanel, $3,845, at Neiman Marcus, call 800-550-0005. Silk top, Emilio Pucci, $1,095, at Emilio Pucci stores, visit emiliopucci.com. Sequined stretch skirt, Alexander Wang, $595, at Kirna Zabêt (NYC), Opening Ceremony (NYC; L.A.), visit net-a-porter.com. Enamel bangles, Hermès, $445 each, call 800-441-4488 or visit hermes.com. Link belt, Louis Vuitton, $1,610, call 866-VUTTON or visit louisvuitton.com. Coated canvas train case, Tumi, $2,495. Nubuck, python, and patent leather sandals, Dior, $980, call 800-922-8864.


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François

2. Printed bra, price upon request, cotton and linen jacket, $1,350, cotton twill pants, $750, all, Yves Saint Laurent, at Yves Saint Laurent Boutique nationwide. Sunglasses, Chanel, $290, at Ilori Luxury Sunglasses Boutique (NYC), visit iloristyle.com. Stainless steel watch, Cartier, $3,950, at Cartier Boutiques, call 800-CARTIER or visit cartier.com. Glint bangle, Calvin Klein Jeans Jewelry, $170, at Tutti Frutti (Newark, NJ), Vinhas Jewelers (Newark, NJ), Art in Gold (New Bedford, MA), collection at Omar and Oscar (East Boston). Gemstone bracelet, Ippolita, $3,950, call 877-865-5500. Sterling silver bangles with rock quartz or onyx, J. Landver, $90 each, visit labuzzshop.com.


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François

3. Lambskin jacket, Emilio Pucci, $3,715, at Emilio Pucci stores nationwide, visit emiliopucci.com. Silk shirt, $1,060, shorts, $1,125, both, Versace, at select Versace Boutiques, call 888-721-7219. Perforated leather bag, Prada, $1,495, at select Prada Boutiques, call 888-977-1900


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François

4. Silk chiffon jumpsuit, Fendi, $1,500, at Fendi, Beverly Hills, call 212-758-4646. Gold necklace with lapis and diamonds, Dama, price upon request, visit roseark.com. Rope link bracelets, Louis Vuitton, $725 each, call 866-VUITTON or visit louisvuitton.com. Gemstone bracelets, $3,950 each, metallic bangles, $285 each, all, Ippolita, call 877-8655500. Onyx spiked ring, J. Landver, $90, visit labuzzshop.com. Leather and satin striped bag, Giorgio Armani, $3,725, at select Giorgio Armani Boutiques, Armani/5th Avenue (NYC).


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François

5. Sleeveless textured jacket, $2,535, skirt, $1,835, rope-link bracelet, $725, all, Louis Vuitton, call 866-VUITTON or visit louisvuitton.com. Silk georgette shirt, Bottega Veneta, $790, at Bottega Veneta Boutiques, call 877-362-1715 or visit bottegaveneta.com. Gold necklace with lapis and diamonds, Dama, price upon request, visit roseark.com. Enamel bracelet, Hermès, $540, at Hermès stores, call 800-441-4488 or visit hermes.com. Glint bangle, Calvin Klein Jeans Jewelry, $170, at Tutti Frutti (Newark, NJ), Vinhas Jewelers (Newark, NJ), Art in Gold (New Bedford, MA), collection at Omar and Oscar (East Boston). Ceramic watch, Michele, $1,195, visit michele.com. Metallic bangles, Ippolita, $285 each, call 877-865-5500. Silver bangles with rock quartz or onyx, J. Landver, $90 each, visit labuzzshop.com. Metallic fabric sandals, Michael by Michael Kors, $150, call 866-709-KORS.



6. Silk-blend jacket, Giorgio Armani, $2,350, at Armani/5th Avenue, NYC. Sunglasses, Cutler and Gross, $480, at Selima Optique (NYC), visit selimaoptique.com. Crystal-embellished watch, Michael Kors, $180, call 800-933-3365 or visit nordstrom.com. Quartz stone bracelet, J. Landver, $180, visit labuzzshop.com. His vintage flannel shirt, $78, T-shirt, $98, both, from What Goes Around Comes Around, NYC.


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François



7. Striped gabardine jacket, $1,800, pants, $490, both, Bottega Veneta, at Bottega Veneta Boutique nationwide, call 877-362-1715 or visit bottegaveneta.com. Bikini, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, $750, at Hervé Léger Boutiques, visit herveleger.com. Metal and stone bracelets, Versace, $765 each, at select Versace Boutiques, call 888-721-7219. Vintage white enamel and gold bangle, from House of Lavande, Palm Beach, $628, visit houseoflavande.com. Thin enamel bangle, Hermès, $445, at Hermès stores, call 800-441-4488 or visit hermes.com.


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François



8. Silk dress, Chloé by Hannah MacGibbon, $1,389, at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC. Vintage gold earrings, from House of Lavande, Palm Beach, $398, visit houseoflavande.com. His vintage flannel shirt, from What Goes Around Comes Around, NYC, $78, visit whatgoesaroundnyc.com


Photo: Michelangelo di Battista; styled by: Samuel François


I love this shoot!

Francois Nars Celebrates his 15th Anniversary with a Little Help from His Friends

Absolutely stunning pictures!......read more below

Daphne Guinness

Naomi Campbell

Shalom Harlow

Dayle Haddon

Marc Jacobs

Amber Valletta

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Natasha Poly

Amanda Lepore

Amanda Lepore

Francois Vincentelli

Olivier Theyskens

François Nars is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the founding of his eponymous company by combining two of his favorite things — beauty products and photography — in a new book.

Nars, creative director and founder of the company which bears his name, did both the makeup and the photography for the book, “15x15,” which is published by Chandelier Creative and is due out in mid-November for 30 days only at 15x15project.com.

“When you do something for 15 years, you want to do something fun but [that is] still a nice piece of work. Plus, the Nars brand people wanted me to do something to remind people I’m still here,” Nars said with a laugh.

Concurred Louis Desazars, chief executive officer of Nars, which was acquired by Shiseido Co. Ltd. in 2000: “It is a good opportunity to raise brand awareness — and we’re proud that we’re celebrating the anniversary in a unique way.”

Like Nars’ earlier book, “X-Ray,” the portraits are intended to transform their subjects into new personas — but the twist this time is that there are two inspirations for each shot, an iconic image, person or emotion and a classic Nars product. The book features portraits of 15 celebrities: Marc Jacobs, Isabella Rossellini, Amber Valletta, Dayle Haddon, Naomi Campbell, Amanda Lepore, Daphne Guinness, François Vincentelli, Natasha Poly, Lisa Marie Smith, Olivier Theyskens, Carla Gugino, Shalom Harlow, Tyson Ballou and Jennifer Jason Leigh. “Basically, I wanted people who reflected my taste, friends and people I admired for their look and talent,” said Nars. “I love the way Marc looks, but also what he is and does. I tried to pick people not just for looks, but for talent.

Among the varied images: Nars’ photo of Jacobs was inspired by a Richard Avedon image of Sixties supermodel China Machado and Nars Dovima Nail Polish (a tomato-red shade named for another Sixties-era supermodel who was a favorite of Avedon’s.) “It is really an homage to Avedon, who I’ve admired for years,” said Nars. Proceeds from Jacobs’ image will go to AmFar. Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour was Nars’ inspiration for his portrait of Valletta. The Nars lipstick of the same shade, a sheer beige, was the product used in the shot. Profits will go to The Friendly House. Haddon wears Nars’ Butterfield 8 Lip Lacquer in a shot inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s role in the movie of the same name. Her proceeds will benefit WomenOne. Isabella Rossellini appears in a Junya Watanabe top wearing Nars’ Misfit Duo Eyeshadow. Her portrait references her most recent project, Green Porno, a series of short films examining the sex lives of bugs. The project was written and directed by Rossellini and features her. Proceeds of her pictures will benefit The Guide Dog Foundation.

“There’s something very different on every page,” said Nars. “You don’t get bored.”

After each celebrity was shot at Industria, Nars handed them a Leica camera and asked them to shoot pictures of their own, using the product used in their Nars portrait as an inspiration. These shots, like the book and the celebrity portraits, will be available for sale for 30 days at 15x15project.com.

Just 1,500 copies of the $80 book will be produced; each will be hand-numbered. Any copies that do not sell on 15x15project.com will be sold via narscosmetics.com.

Every penny raised by the book, Desazars emphasized, will be donated to charity. Each celebrity chose a pet charity, and all proceeds from the sales of that person’s photos and images will be donated to his or her charity. At least $150,000 is expected to be raised. “We all have to give — there is a lot of need out in the world,” said Nars.

Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, will be used to promote the book, as will the 15x15 Web site, which will go live Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. during a cocktail party Jacobs and Guinness are holding in Manhattan to celebrate the project.

Nars has a number of other projects in the pipeline, including a freestanding store in New York City in 2010, another makeup book and a Tahiti-inspired book slated for a 2011 release. As well, a 15th anniversary party will be held Dec. 10 at Barneys, where the brand launched in 1994. (WWD)