Ciara is the New Muse of Givenchy

As if Ciara's day job as R&B songstress and technically skilled dancer wasn't fabulous enough, the 24-year-old has been making moves in the fashion world these past few years. The statuesque beauty inked a multi-million dollar modeling contract with Wilhelmina modeling agency, has been popping up in editorial spreads around the world and now she can add muse to her ever-growing fashion resume. The renowned French design house's creative director, Riccardo Tisci has named Ciara his new muse and at the recent couture Spring 2010 shows in Paris she was spotted celebrating her new coveted side gig.

She was front row at the Givenchy show seated next to Kanye and Amber, visited the label's boutique for some shopping and attended a private cocktail soiree thrown in her honor by Tisci. Aside from pissing off some at the Givenchy show who booed her for showing up a whopping forty minutes late for the show, which was held up until she arrived, it's safe to say that the Couture Spring 2010 was undoubtedly Ciara's big fashion moment.

Following in the steps of actress Audrey Hepburn, who served as the label's founder Hubert de Givenchy's muse in the 50's and 60's, Ciara will be a source inspiration for one of fashion's most talented contemporary designers today. Tisci is celebrated for his ability to design romantic clothes that are dark, strong and atmospheric instead of delicate and pretty. Although, Ciara has developed and matured over the years, one thing remains is her affinity for strong looks. It's no surprise she's been a fan of Tisci for some time. Judging from how sophisticated Ciara looked decked in Givenchy at the shows in Paris, we think this is a match made in fashion heaven.

(essence.com)

This tall willowy beauty wears Givenchy well.

Linda Evangelista: For Art's Sake

Dior Haute Couture’s silk and cotton bustier and garter belt, to order, 800.929.DIOR; Dennis Basso’s lynx fur coat, at Dennis Basso, New York, dennisbasso.com.

Carolina Herrera’s silk moiré dress with cotton mesh corset, at Carolina Herrera, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Bal Harbour, Florida, carolinaherrera.com. Louis Vuitton necklace and bracelet; Burberry bracelet; on her right hand: Alexander McQueen and Asprey rings; on her left hand: Yves Saint Laurent and De Beers rings; Yves Saint Laurent shoes.

Chanel’s silk dress, at select Chanel boutiques, 800.550.0005, chanel.com. Ellen Christine Couture Millinery headpiece with veil; Fred Leighton cross necklace (top); Doyle & Doyle cross necklaces; Cornelia James gloves.

Valentino Haute Couture’s silk lace dress, to order, at Valentino, valentino.com. Wolford garter belt and hosiery.

From left: Marc Jacobs’s silk dress, at Marc Jacobs, New York, marcjacobs.com. Versace’s silk dress with metal and crystal detail, at Versace, 888.721.7219. Givenchy’s sequined silk dress, by Riccardo Tisci, at Bergdorf Goodman, New York, bergdorfgoodman.com. Versace’s silk dress, at Versace, 888.721.7219. American Apparel briefs.

Rena Lange’s silk blouse, at Saks Fifth Avenue, 877.551.SAKS, saks.com. De Beers earrings.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan is best known for his subversive, hyper-realistic sculptures—including depictions of Pope John Paul II being hit by a meteorite, a child-size Hitler kneeling in prayer and a suicidal squirrel. For W’s Art Issue, he conceived a politically and religiously charged portfolio featuring supermodel Linda Evangelista. “She’s a still actress,” says Cattelan of Evangelista. “At the end, she was so tuned-in that all she needed were a couple of words and she knew what we wanted.” A new piece by Cattelan is included in “Pop Life: Art in A Material World,” an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London that runs through January. In February a show focusing on his large-scale works will open at the Menil Collection in Houston. Cattelan cocurated the Berlin Biennial in 2006 and lives in New York and Milan. (W magazine)

Linda Evangelista is still as hot as ever!