John Galliano exited Christian Dior in a booze-fueled haze of controversy, so it's interesting to see the its diffusion line's latest advertising taking inspiration from another drunk renegade. The spring 2012 campaign for Galliano pays tribute to acclaimed yet controversial gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

Benhamin Eidem is modeled after Raoul Duke, the autobiographical title character of Thompson's novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Just as Johnny Depp did in the film adaptation, Eidem smolders from underneath his bucket hat and yellow lensed aviator sunglasses. Despite meeting some notable women, Duke never had a sidekick. Perhaps if he did she'd look something like Constance Jablonski, who cuts a dramatic figure in her Hawaiian print dress, oversized clutch purse, and wedge heels.

Looking at this attractive twosome makes me want to pack my bags for my own Las Vegas road trip. The commercial really captures the warm weather ahead and sells the clothes and accessories really well.

But does anyone else find it a little strange that a line previously headed by a loud-mouthed loose cannon with a drinking problem is now paying homage to a figure so similar? While Hunter S. Thompson wasn't exactly sympathizing with Nazis he certainly never shied away from controversy.

What do you think of Galliano's latest advertisement?

[Source: Racked]

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Mikael Jansson shot the softly lit images of the Ukranian-born actress for the feminine commercials. The moody blue hues don't exactly scream spring/summer collection to me, but the campaign looks gorgeous. Of course Jansson had some great raw materials to work with though in Kunis and Christian Dior's gorgeous dress and clutch purse!

Kunis said she was "thrilled" to join the Dior team, as the brand is "iconic in so many ways. It defines fashion, elegance, and sophistication."

The ads featuring the Black Swan star will grace the pages of European fashion magazines Elle and Vogue and American style bibles New York Times and Vanity Fair later this month.

With a fresh new face on board, perhaps this is a sign Christian Dior is on the up and ready to put all that nasty John Galliano business behind it. Now if it would just announce a new creative director already we'd all be happy! Until then we'll just have to contend ourselves with this stunning new commercial. What do you think of Mila Kunis' modeling turn?

[Source: Stylelist]

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Marion Cotillard continues to spruik Christian Dior, this time in the label's latest short film. The Academy Award winning French actress stars in the playful flick which is cleverly titled L.A.dy Dior.

Just like the latest print ad, the film is set in Los Angeles. So it's only fitting that Cotillard plays an actress. However I'm sure the part is nothing like the sophisticated French beauty. Unable to deal with the pressures of the film business, Cotillard's character dramatically loses her cool on set.

The other star of the piece is undoubtedly the Lady Dior handbag that acts as Cotillard's constant companion. Its multicolored crocodile finish is so striking that it threatens to outshine the French beauty!

John Cameron Mitchell, the creative visionary behind cult classics like Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Shortbus, directed Christian Dior's latest cinematic effort. He was a bold choice, but also one that doesn't really gel with the label's current aesthetic. In my mind the short film should complement Dior's current print campaign, but the pieces feel like polar opposites.

Do you prefer the sophistication that Steven Klein brought to the print advertisements, or the more flamboyant filmic touch of John Cameron Mitchell?

[Source: Catwalk Queen TV]

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Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily reported that a source close to the Belgian designer says he's close to signing on the dotted line. But there may be a few obstacles in his way before he seals the deal.

The most obvious stumbling block is Simons' contract with Jil Sander. He's been with the firm since 2005, and he recently extended his contract. Christian Dior could probably buy him out of that deal, but that's only if Jil Sander is willing to play.

There's also the not so small matter of Yves Saint Laurent, who are also rumored to be courting Simons. It's been suggested that Stefano Pilati's been on shaky ground at the fashion house for some time, and with his contract expiring in March I can't imagine it will be renewed. Simons would be a great replacement fit for either fashion house, so he might simply look to the highest bidder.

Even if the Christian Dior deal does go ahead, we're getting very close to the release of new season fashions. Dior is likely to want a couture collection by January followed by a ready-to-wear collection by March. That doesn't leave a lot of time for anyone new to put their stamp on the projects, which suggests Bill Gaytten will continue to head up the design work in the mean time.

With Christian Dior refusing to comment it's up to us to gossip. Would you like to see Raf Simons at Christian Dior?

[Source: Fashion Indie]
[Image Source: Israel Papillon/Stock.xchng]

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I apologize for making that comparison, I really do. I know that once the image is in your mind it's very hard to shake. But for the purposes of giving this bag a fair, non-food related review, I'll do my best. The Granville's shape is interesting. The gently pleated top is soft and voluminous, while its body is smoother and decorated with an elegant geometric design. I appreciate the contrasting movements on an intellectual level, but I'm still not sure about the execution.

Inside the Granville is just as lovely as we'd expect it to be. Christian Dior never skimps, and it's a pleasure to enjoy the leather lining and reinforced pockets. It's mid-sized, which these days is beginning to feel small, but it should hold everything you need it to.

If the chef hat styling hasn't turned you off the price might. At $2700 it feels like we're paying for the name attached rather than the purse itself. Christian Dior has done better, and that's what I'd be spending my money on.

More Features of This Christian Dior Leather Shoulder Bag

• Polished silver-toned hardware
• Inset magnetic snap tab closures
• Four metal feet at the base
• Dual sliding chain link handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 9.5 x 3.5 inches
• Made in Italy
• Also available in black

Get this Christian Dior Granville Handbag:

• Available to buy at Bluefly
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Christian Dior bags on BagBunch
• The Christian Dior Le Trente bag, a great alternative to this leather bag.
• Searching for more Christian Dior bags on eBay
• Other Christian Dior shoulder bags on eBay:

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The source said that negations between LVMH's CEO Bernard Arnault, Dior's president Sidney Toledano, and Jacobs disintegrated over money matters and the restructuring of Jacobs' team. Jacobs reportedly wanted to take his Louis Vuitton crew to Dior and "transfer the aesthetic from one house to another." However as Phoebe Philo was unwilling to leave Celine to replace Jacobs at Dior, it would have left a gaping hole at the lucrative Louis Vuitton label.

Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, and even Tom Ford have been bandied about as the latest possible replacements for John Galliano, but honestly we're all still in the dark and playing the guessing game. Perhaps this latest turn of events will see temporary replacement Bill Gaytten staying at the helm for a while longer, although his collections have faced such widespread criticism that this doesn't seem a preferable option.

I’m sure we're all getting a bit tired of the speculation without confirmation, but it seems we'll have to be patient for a little while longer!

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Ed Kavishe/Wikipedia Commons]

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Fashion bible Women's Wear Daily claims Jacobs hoped to take his entire design team from Louis Vuitton with him to Dior. Meanwhile Phoebe Philo, the woman most likely to take the reins at Louis Vuitton, was keen to continue her work with Celine. Consequently the folks at Dior are still considering their options.

Those options are pretty enticing though. WWD reports that Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, and Raf Simons are now the frontrunners to take fashion's most coveted vacant position.

WWD said it's possible that Dior will resume its talks with Marc Jacobs, but for now LVMH president Bernard Arnault is looking for a designer "whether young or mature — with a strong affinity and respect for the brand's glamorous DNA, and a vision for taking it forward in the post-Galliano era."

Frankly waiting on Dior's decision is quickly becoming torturous. Just when we thought we'd sussed it out, the fashion house has thrown us a curveball. And so while we wait, who would you like to see helming Christian Dior?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Ed Kavishe/Wikipedia Commons]

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While most celebrities only enjoy a season or two fronting any particular fashion house, it seems Marion Cotillard is still flavor of the month at Christian Dior. This image shows her latest advertisement for the embattled fashion house.

The fashion label has been the subject of speculation of late as it keeps mum on the topic of John Galliano's replacement. However this ad shows no signs of the strain. Instead it's cool as a cucumber, with Cotillard pouting provocatively as she clasps her Lady Dior bag.

The actress might have fronted many Dior campaigns over the years, but she's showing no signs of fatigue. In fact I think she looks fresher than that color-blocked crocodile handbag! The retro effect really doesn't make the most of the exotic skin, as it appears gimmicky and trend conscious rather than classic.

In contrast Cotillard looks timeless in her black cap-sleeved dress, matching dark fingernails, and blood red lips. And of course the Hollywood sign never ages either! Photographer Steven Klein captured the shot at a Los Angeles house designed by the famed architect John Lautner.

What do you think of Christian Dior's latest advertisement? Is Marion Cotillard still the right woman for the job?

[Source: StyleBistro]

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Perhaps the results prove the old adage that no publicity is really bad publicity. Dior has enjoyed plenty of time in the headlines this year, from Galliano's very public fall from grace to rumors about his successor and the brand's fate. There was even widespread condemnation of Bill Gaytten's collections. But it seems luxury lovers are still buying.

However Vanessa Friedman of The Financial Times suggests that perhaps this is about more than media. While we're devouring every tasty tidbit of the saga, its biggest fans may not be following things so closely, or perhaps they just don't care. "They knew Dior, and it was enough," she wrote.

If his exit has taught us anything, Christian Dior is much more than John Galliano. We've heard so many examples of high-end businesses thriving following the global recession, from British brand Burberry to Italian fashion house Prada. Perhaps Dior's recent successes have less to do with its current inner turmoil and more to do with current trends.

What do you think is the key to Dior's strong profits?

[Source: Fashionista]
[Image Source: Stephen Carlile/Flickr]

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Christian Dior has teamed up with German artist Anselm Reyle for a colorful capsule collection.

The fashion range features vibrant handbags, bracelets, key rings, and nail polishes. The pieces are adorned with the neon colors Reyle famously works with, making them much more modern than anything we've seen from Dior before. But the fashion house's deputy general manager Delphine Arnault insists they're a natural fit for her brand.

"Mr. Dior in his time was fascinated by artists like René Gruau and Christian Berard," she explained. In fact, one of Christian Dior's earliest projects was the opening of an art gallery in 1928. "Art is part of the DNA of Dior."

The collaboration is a significant pairing, as Reyle has never lent his designs to a fashion range before. That exclusivity, and the range's limited edition status, should see it become a big seller when it goes on sale in early December. The artsy collection will be available from a pop-up store in Miami during Florida's Art Basel event, although there's talk it'll be rolled out to other Dior stores after that.

Following the dismissal of John Galliano earlier this year, the new artistic collection seems well times. I think we were all craving something new and creative from the label. Are you excited to see Dior showing a more flamboyant and colorful side?

[Source: Global Grind]

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